What is the difference between gametes and other body cells

Tiny as they may be, cells do play a role in maintaining the life processes of any living organism. More importantly, cells such as the gametes play a vital part in the reproduction of another life existence.

Body cells make up the body of any multicellular organism. On the other hand, a gamete is a sex cell that can either be a sperm or egg cell. Body cells undergo the process of mitosis while gametes undergo a process called meiosis. A body cell contains a complete number of chromosomes and is called a diploid cell while a gamete contains only half the number of chromosomes of its parent cell, and it is called a haploid cell.

Difference Between Body cells and Gametes. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. MLA 8 Tamon, Golden. Name required. Email required. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Written by : golden. User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. In prokaryotes , the genome is composed of a single, double-stranded DNA molecule in the form of a loop or circle.

The region in the cell containing this genetic material is called a nucleoid. Some prokaryotes also have smaller loops of DNA called plasmids that are not essential for normal growth. In eukaryotes , the genome comprises several double-stranded, linear DNA molecules Figure 6. Each species of eukaryote has a characteristic number of chromosomes in the nuclei of its cells.

Human body cells somatic cells have 46 chromosomes. A somatic cell contains two matched sets of chromosomes, a configuration known as diploid. The letter n is used to represent a single set of chromosomes; therefore a diploid organism is designated 2 n. Human cells that contain one set of 23 chromosomes are called gametes , or sex cells; these eggs and sperm are designated n , or haploid.

The matched pairs of chromosomes in a diploid organism are called homologous chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes are the same length and have specific nucleotide segments called genes in exactly the same location, or locus.

While a human male can continue to make new gametes throughout his life starting at puberty, the human female has a limited number of gametes she can make within a relatively short amount of time. Sometimes, during replication, mistakes are made, and these mutations can change the DNA in the cells of the body.

However, if there is a mutation in a somatic cell, it most likely will not contribute to the evolution of the species. Since somatic cells are in no way involved in the process of sexual reproduction, any changes in the DNA of somatic cells will not get passed down to the offspring of the mutated parent.

Since the offspring will not receive the changed DNA and any new traits the parent may have will not be passed down, mutations in the DNA of somatic cells will not affect evolution. If there happens to be a mutation in a gamete, though, that can drive evolution. Mistakes can happen during meiosis that can either change the DNA in the haploid cells or create a chromosome mutation which can add or delete portions of DNA on various chromosomes.

If one of the offspring is created from a gamete that has a mutation in it, then that offspring will have different traits that may or may not be favorable for the environment. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.

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