The correct answer is 46. Human somatic (body) cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, with one set of 23 chromosomes inherited from each parent. Thus, the total number of chromosomes in a human somatic cell is 23 * 2 = 46. Of the 23 pairs, 22 are autosomes and one pair consists of sex chromosomes (XX in females, XY in males). Gametes (sperm and egg cells) are haploid and contain 23 chromosomes.