Final answer:
Somatic cells are haploid and have 46 chromosomes while gametes are diploid and have 23 chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Somatic cells and gametes are two distinct types of cells in multicellular organisms, and they differ in their roles, functions, and characteristics.
Somatic cells have 46 chromosomes and are haploid, whereas gametes have 23 chromosomes and are diploid.
The distinction between somatic cells and gametes is crucial for understanding the processes of growth, development, and reproduction in multicellular organisms. Somatic cells contribute to the individual's body, while gametes are specialized for the transmission of genetic material to the next generation.