Final answer:
The correct answer is option (a) which states that a typical human female has 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes, giving a total of 46 chromosomes in each cell. Females differ from males in their sex chromosomes, having two X chromosomes, whereas males have one X and one Y chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Human Female Chromosome Complement
In humans, each cell typically contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. This set includes 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. For a typical human female, the complete chromosome complement consists of 44 autosomes and two X chromosomes. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option (a) 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes.
Sex chromosomes are distinct from autosomes in that they determine the genetic sex of the individual. While both males and females have the same autosomes, only females possess two X chromosomes. The X chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes that play a crucial role in the development of sexual characteristics and reproduction. It's worth noting that in females, one of the X chromosomes is inactivated in each cell, forming what is known as a Barr body.
In contrast, males have one X chromosome paired with a shorter Y chromosome, which triggers the development of male characteristics. Autosomes, the other 22 pairs of chromosomes, carry genes for traits unrelated to sex and are identical in both males and females. A complete understanding of human chromosome structure and function provides vital insight into genetics and hereditary patterns.