Final answer:
In each diploid somatic cell of an elephant, which has 56 chromosomes, there are 28 pairs of homologous chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elephants have 56 chromosomes in a typical diploid somatic cell. In diploid organisms, the somatic cells contain two sets of chromosomes, or homologous chromosomes, which are matched pairs containing the same genes. To determine the number of pairs of homologous chromosomes in each somatic elephant cell, we simply divide the total number of chromosomes by two, since chromosomes in diploid cells are always paired. Therefore, in each somatic cell of an elephant, there are 28 pairs of homologous chromosomes.