In humans, there are total of 46 chromosomes in each cell that show 23 pairs of chromosome. During reproduction, meiosis occurs in germ cells that leads to formation of daughter cells or gametes that contain half of the chromosomes as present in parent cells. Thus, each gamete (either male or female) contains 23 chromosome.
During fertilization, fusion of male gamete or sperm(with 23 chromosomes) and female gamete or ovum(with 23 chromosomes) to form zygote that develops into multi-cellular offspring with 46 chromosomes.
Thus, 'a child inherit 46 chromosomes from his or her parent (23 chromosomes from each parent).'
Using DNA to Trace Ancestry.Chromosomes are Inherited From Your Parents. One chromosome from each of your 23 pairs came from each of your parents. The two chromosomes of a pair (except for the sex chromosomes) contain the same genes, but the genes have small differences.
