Question

The human cell contains

• A. 44 chromosomes
• B. 48 chromosomes
• C. 46 chromosomes
• D. 23 chromosomes

Hint:

Remember the difference between a body cell (diploid) and a sperm or egg cell (haploid).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

This question tests basic knowledge of the human chromosome number, and the trap is confusing the diploid body-cell number with the haploid number found in reproductive cells.

1. 44 chromosomes: This would mean a pair is missing from the normal set, which is not the case for a healthy human cell.
2. 48 chromosomes: This is the diploid chromosome number of some great apes, such as chimpanzees, not of humans.
3. 46 chromosomes: This is the correct diploid number for a normal human body (somatic) cell, made up of 23 pairs, one member of each pair from the mother and one from the father.
4. 23 chromosomes: This is only the haploid number, found in a single sperm cell or a single egg cell before fertilisation, not in an ordinary body cell.

Since a normal human body cell is diploid and carries 23 pairs of chromosomes, the total is 46, which makes option (C) correct.

Let's summarize:

• Body (somatic) cells are diploid: 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs.
• Sperm and egg cells are haploid: 23 chromosomes each, before they combine at fertilisation.

So the human cell contains 46 chromosomes.