Division of Somatic and Germline cells

Question 1

What is a somatic cell?

Answer 1

A somatic cell is any cell in the body other than cells involved in reproduction.

Question 2

What is a germline cell?

Answer 2

Germline cells are gametes (sperm & ova) involving reproduction.

Question 3

How do somatic stem cells divide?

Answer 3

Somatic stem cells divide by mitosis to form more somatic cells.

Question 4

How do germline stem cells divide and describe the process?

Answer 4

Germline stem cells divide by mitosis and meiosis. Division by mitosis produces more germline cells. The nucleus divides by mitosis to maintain the chromosome number. Diploid cells have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes.
Division by meiosis produces haploid gametes, the nucleus undergoes two division, firstly separating homologous chromosomes and secondly separating chromatids.
Haploid gametes contain 23 single chromosomes.