Final answer:
Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, which are arranged into 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes, creating a diploid (2n) configuration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regular human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes. This number comprises 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes: one set inherited from each parent. This configuration is referred to as diploid, which is abbreviated as 2n, indicating that there are two sets of each chromosome. In contrast, human gametes (sperm and eggs) contain only one set of 23 chromosomes, making them haploid, designated as n. Somatic cells include all body cells except for the germ cells, which are the cells that produce eggs and sperm. Most somatic cells divide regularly, except for a few cell types, such as gametes, red blood cells, most neurons, and some muscle cells.