Final answer:
The type of body cell that does not typically exhibit telomerase activity is a somatic cell, such as a liver cell, since telomerase is generally active in germ cells like sperm and in stem cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of body cell that typically does not exhibit telomerase activity is an adult somatic cell. Telomerase activity is commonly found in germ cells, such as sperm cells, and adult stem cells. It has a vital role in enabling cells to divide without losing essential DNA, thereby preventing chromosomes from shortening and protecting the cell from aging and malfunction. Telomerase's action is particularly crucial in cells that divide often or need to maintain the ability for long-term division such as stem cells and germ cells.
Considering the options given, liver cells and skin cells are types of somatic cells, and thus predominantly lack telomerase activity. Sperm cells, being germ cells, and stem cells, often retain telomerase activity to maintain their longevity and functionality.
Elizabeth Blackburn won the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 2009 for her discovery of telomerase and its action. Therefore, the answer to the question is a) Liver cell, which is a type of somatic cell where telomerase is not usually active.