How many chromosomes does a human cell have?

• A. 23
• B. 92
• C. 46 (23 pairs from each parent)
• D. 46 (23 pairs total)

Answer: (C)

Humans have two complete sets of chromosomes in each body cell, making a total of 46 chromosomes. These are arranged as 23 pairs. In every pair, one chromosome comes from the mother and the other from the father, so half the chromosomes in the cell come from each parent. When a cell is about to divide, its DNA is replicated, and each chromosome forms two sister chromatids, giving 92 chromatids temporarily, but the chromosome count stays 46 until the chromatids separate during division. Gametes, like sperm and egg, carry 23 chromosomes, and when fertilization occurs the zygote ends up with 46 again. So describing the cell as having 46 chromosomes organized into 23 pairs, with each pair containing one chromosome from each parent, is the most complete way to express the number and origin.