How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, making it the correct answer to this question. Each pair consists of one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father. This total includes 22 pairs of autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and one pair of sex chromosomes, which determine an individual's gender. In humans, the sex chromosomes can be either XX (female) or XY (male).

Understanding this configuration is crucial in genetics as it sets the foundation for concepts such as inheritance, genetic variation, and understanding genetic disorders, which may stem from abnormalities in chromosome number or structure. Knowing the exact number of chromosome pairs allows for deeper comprehension of human biology and the mechanisms of reproduction and development.