How many chromosomes does a typical human somatic (body) cell contain?

• A. 44
• B. 46
• C. 23
• D. 92

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of chromosomes: Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain DNA. Humans have two types of cells: somatic (body) cells and gametes (reproductive cells). Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
2. Recall the number of chromosomes in human somatic cells: A typical human somatic cell contains 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 pairs. This includes 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males).
3. Differentiate between somatic cells and gametes: Gametes (sperm and egg cells) are haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes (23 total). Somatic cells, on the other hand, are diploid and contain 46 chromosomes.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: The options provided include 44, 46, 23, and 92. Based on the information above, 46 is the correct number of chromosomes in a typical human somatic cell. The other numbers represent either incorrect values or refer to different biological contexts (e.g., 23 for gametes, 92 for cells undergoing replication).
5. Summarize the reasoning: A typical human somatic cell contains 46 chromosomes because it is diploid, with 23 chromosomes inherited from each parent. This is a fundamental characteristic of human biology.