Final answer:
Human cells typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, summing up to a total of 46 chromosomes, each containing thousands of genes. There are about 20,000 to 25,000 functional genes in the human genome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question 'How many genes are typically present in a human cell?' is a) 23 pairs of chromosomes. Each human cell typically has 23 pairs of chromosomes. These chromosomes include 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY). Each pair of chromosomes consists of two homologous chromosomes that contain thousands of genes, altogether approximately 20,000 to 25,000 functional genes per genome.
When referring to muscle cells or any other somatic cells, these cells contain the usual 46 chromosomes in total, which is 23 pairs with each parent contributing one set. In contrast, gametes, which are sperm and egg cells, have half the number of chromosomes, meaning they contain 23 single chromosomes to facilitate genetic diversity through sexual reproduction.