Final answer:
An adult hermaphrodite nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, has exactly 959 somatic cells. This consistency makes C. elegans a popular model organism in biological research regarding developmental processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The adult hermaphrodite nematode, specifically the Caenorhabditis elegans, is known for a precise and constant number of somatic cells. An adult hermaphrodite consists of exactly 959 cells. This unique feature makes C. elegans a valuable model for studying various biological processes such as cell differentiation, cell-to-cell communication, and apoptosis, thanks to the constant and known cell number.
Additionally, the organism's short life cycle enables rapid observation of changes due to genetic manipulation, which is invaluable for scientific research on developmental biology.