Which of the following is a characteristic of somatic cells?

Somatic cells are characterized by their role in the growth and maintenance of the body, and they undergo mitosis as a means of cell division. This process of mitosis allows somatic cells to generate identical daughter cells, which is essential for tissue repair and growth. Unlike germ cells, which undergo meiosis for the purpose of sexual reproduction, somatic cells do not participate in this process.

Options that suggest involvement in sexual reproduction or gene reproduction pertain to germ cells, which differ fundamentally from somatic cells. The practical implication of somatic cells undergoing mitosis is significant in various biological processes, including regeneration and the development of multicellular organisms, reinforcing their crucial role in the organism's overall health and maintenance.