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Somatic cell

Definition(s)

All the body cells except the reproductive (germ) cells.: Definition from: Physician Data Query via Unified Medical Language System at the National Library of Medicine
A somatic cell is any cell of the body except sperm and egg cells. Somatic cells are diploid, meaning that they contain two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Mutations in somatic cells can affect the individual, but they are not passed on to offspring.: Definition from: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms from the National Human Genome Research Institute


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