somatic cell

American  

noun

Cell Biology.

1. one of the cells that take part in the formation of the body, becoming differentiated into the various tissues, organs, etc.

2. any cell other than a germ cell.

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somatic cell British  

noun

1. any of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells Compare germ cell

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Etymology

Origin of somatic cell

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Prenatal genome editing sits within the broader spectrum of human genome editing, which ranges from germline, where the changes are heritable, to somatic cell, where the patient’s descendants won’t inherit the changes.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2024

Unlike somatic cell division, which duplicates and divides the genome identically, meiosis creates genetically diverse reproductive cells through a mechanism known as crossover.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2024

Reproductive cloning of animals uses a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

From Reuters • May 25, 2023

Gray’s appearance was designed to underscore the rapid clinical advances in somatic cell gene editing—making noninheritable changes to a person’s DNA—and redirect attention away from the controversial prospect of heritable changes.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 12, 2023

Equatorial plate of male somatic cell from walls of the testis, 15 large chromosomes, 1 small one. 58-59.

From Studies in Spermatogenesis Part II by Stevens, Nettie Maria