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Multiple Choice
How many chromosomes do most humans have in their somatic cells?
A
23
B
44
C
46
D
22
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that somatic cells are any cells forming the body of an organism, excluding germ cells (sperm and egg).
Recall that in humans, somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
Each set of chromosomes in humans consists of 23 chromosomes, including 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome.
Calculate the total number of chromosomes in a diploid cell by multiplying the number of chromosomes in one set by two: 23 chromosomes/set * 2 sets = 46 chromosomes.
Conclude that most human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes, which is the sum of two sets of 23 chromosomes.