What is the difference between somatic and germ cells, and how do they relate to tissue development and repair?

Somatic cells make up most of the body, while germ cells are involved in reproduction.

Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction. They make up most of the body's tissues and organs, including skin, muscle, and bone. Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. They divide through mitosis, which allows for growth and repair of tissues.

Germ cells, on the other hand, are involved in reproduction. They are found in the gonads (ovaries and testes) and give rise to gametes (eggs and sperm). Germ cells are haploid, meaning they have one set of chromosomes, and they divide through meiosis to produce gametes with half the number of chromosomes as somatic cells.

Tissue development and repair rely on the division and differentiation of somatic cells. During development, cells differentiate into different tissue types, such as muscle or nerve cells. In adulthood, somatic cells continue to divide and replace damaged or dead cells, allowing for tissue repair. Germ cells, on the other hand, are not involved in tissue development or repair but are essential for reproduction and passing on genetic information to offspring.

In summary, somatic cells make up most of the body's tissues and are involved in tissue development and repair, while germ cells are involved in reproduction and passing on genetic information to offspring.