Question

What will be the content of DNA in a somatic cell at G2 if its meiotic product has 20 picogram of DNA?
A .40 pg
B. 20 pg
C. 80 pg
D. 160 pg

Answer 1

Hint: A somatic cell is a type of biological cell that forms the body of an organism. It is also known as a vegetable cell. Simply, in a multicellular organism, any cell other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte, or undifferentiated stem cell is a somatic cell.

Complete answer:
Somatic cells refer to all the cells of the body except reproductive cells i.e. other than gametes, stem cells, and germs cells, all the cells of a multicellular organism are all called somatic cells. The diploid somatic cells go through a number of mitosis divisions. These cells originate from the body. These cells build up the entire body of the organism except the cells related to the reproductive function or are undifferentiated such as stem cells.
The growth and development of an organism is brought about by the somatic cells. These cells are essential for the repair and regeneration of the different parts of the body.
Somatic cells have the same set of chromosomes as the organism. As compared to gametes, these types of cells have a diploid set of chromosomes, which are originated by meiosis division, and also have a haploid set of chromosomes. In the somatic cells, the mutation can be observed more frequently as compared to germ cells. These cells are used for cloning and to conserve the genetic information of animals.
In the meiotic products of the somatic cell, it has 20 picograms of DNA which represent that the haploid cell content in the somatic cell is 20 picograms. As the same, when the somatic cell is diploid in nature, then it will contain 40 picograms of DNA.
During the cell cycle, the G2 phase comes after the S phase. Therefore, in the S phase, the amount of DNA gets doubled due to the replication of DNA. In this way, the somatic cell will contain 80 picogram of DNA.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Somatic cells in the body are such types of cells which are not involved in reproductive function. Other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte, or undifferentiated stem cell, all cells are somatic cells. These cells are produced from the body and act in the growth and development of the body. If its meiotic product has 20 picograms of DNA then the content of DNA in a somatic cell will be 80 picograms at the G2 phase of the cell cycle where DNA replication takes place.