Question

We get 23 pairs of chromosomes from our parents.
But we get 23 from the mother and 23 from the father? not pairs?

Answer 1

Every somatic cell in the human body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. However, the germ cells or gametes—sperm and ovum, in an individual's body contain only 23 chromosomes ( number 23 and not 23 pairs). This is because the germ cells undergo a special type of cell division called meiosis or reductional division. During this type of cell division, the number of chromosome is halved. When the gametes fuse during fertilization, the resultant zygote contains 23 pairs of chromosomes— 23 chromosomes from the ovum of the mother and 23 from the sperm of the father.