Final answer:
Somatic cells contain complete genetic information organized as homologous chromosomes, making them diploid with 46 chromosomes. Genes within these chromosomes code for specific traits and are duplicated during mitosis. Gametes are haploid, containing half the number of chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chromosomes in somatic cells, which are body cells, contain the entire genetic information necessary for the functioning and regulation of the body. These chromosomes are organized as paired sets known as homologous chromosomes. Humans have 46 chromosomes in their somatic cells, including 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes, making them diploid organisms (2n), which means each cell contains two sets of chromosomes—one from each parent. Each chromosome consists of double-stranded linear DNA molecules associated with proteins to form chromatin.
The functional units within these chromosomes are genes, which code for specific proteins or RNA, and these genes ultimately determine an organism's traits, such as hair color or blood type. During cell division, somatic cells undergo mitosis to ensure that each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes. In contrast to somatic cells, gametes (sperm or eggs) are haploid (n), containing only 23 chromosomes or one complete set from either parent, which unites during fertilization to form a new diploid organism. The study of genomes, including the way genes are regulated and expressed, falls within the field of genomics.