What are somatic cells?

Somatic cells are defined as all the body cells that make up the tissues and organs of an organism, excluding germ cells, which are involved in reproduction. This category includes a wide variety of cell types such as skin cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, and blood cells. Somatic cells contain the full set of chromosomes that are characteristic of the organism, usually in pairs, and they play various roles in maintaining the body's structure and function.

The correct choice emphasizes that somatic cells encompass all body cells except for germ cells, which are specialized reproductive cells responsible for giving rise to gametes (sperm and eggs). This distinction is critical in biological discussions about cell types, as germ cells undergo meiosis and contribute to genetic diversity through sexual reproduction.

In contrast, the other options refer to specific characteristics or types of cells that do not accurately define somatic cells. For instance, somatic cells do not specifically produce hormones, nor are they solely found in plants, and they definitely are not involved exclusively in reproduction. This broader understanding is essential in biology for differentiating between various cell types and their respective functions in an organism.