Somatic cells are the body cells that make up most of an organism's tissues and organs, excluding the reproductive cells. They contain a full set of chromosomes, which carry the genetic information necessary for growth, development, and functioning. In humans, somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 pairs. These cells undergo a process called mitosis, allowing them to divide and replicate for growth and repair. Unlike germ cells, which are involved in reproduction and contain half the number of chromosomes, somatic cells are responsible for the overall structure and maintenance of the body.