How many pairs of autosomes are found in a human cell?

In human cells, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, which includes 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. Autosomes are non-sex chromosomes that are the same in both males and females, and they carry the majority of an individual's genetic information. The pairs are numbered from 1 to 22, with each pair consisting of one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father.

The choice indicating 22 pairs refers just to the autosomes, while the sex chromosomes (XX or XY) are separate. Therefore, the correct understanding is that humans have a total of 23 pairs of chromosomes, which includes 22 pairs of autosomes and a single pair of sex chromosomes. Knowing the distinction between autosomes and sex chromosomes is crucial for accurately answering questions about chromosome pairs in human genetics.