What does a somatic cell represent?

A somatic cell represents a full set of chromosomes, which is crucial for understanding human biology and development. Somatic cells are any cells forming the body of an organism that are not involved in reproduction. In humans, for example, somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two complete sets of chromosomes—one set inherited from each parent. This characteristic is essential for normal growth, development, and functioning of the organism.

In contrast, reproductive cells, or gametes (sperm and egg cells), contain only one set of chromosomes and are crucial for sexual reproduction. The other options pertain to different aspects of biological science: the first stage of embryonic development focuses on the processes after fertilization, while brain cells are specialized cells that perform functions specific to the nervous system. Understanding what defines a somatic cell helps clarify the distinctions among various cell types and their roles in human physiology.