How many chromosomes do humans inherit from each parent?

Humans inherit 23 chromosomes from each parent, making a total of 46 chromosomes in their cells. This is because humans are diploid organisms, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes: one set of 23 from the mother and one set of 23 from the father. The chromosomes carry the genetic information that determines inherited traits. When a sperm and an egg unite during fertilization, they each contribute their set of chromosomes, combining to create a complete set of 46 in the zygote. This process ensures genetic diversity while maintaining the correct number of chromosomes across generations.