How many chromosomes do humans have ?

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Humans possess 46 chromosomes organized in 23 pairs, consisting of 22 somatic chromosomes and one sex chromosome (X or Y). The discussion highlights a common misconception regarding the total chromosome count, addressing the presence of mitochondrial DNA, which is circular and distinct from nuclear DNA. While mitochondrial DNA is crucial for cellular function, it is not classified as a chromosome in the same way nuclear chromosomes are. Each mitochondrion can contain multiple copies of this circular DNA, but it does not alter the standard count of 46 chromosomes in humans. Scientists generally agree that mitochondrial DNA serves a different function and structure compared to nuclear chromosomes.
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I have always known that humans have 46 chromosomes, but recently someone told me that we have actually 47 chromosomes. He said we have 46 nuclear chromosomes and one mitochondrial chromosome. Is this true?! Is this mitochondrial genetic information a real chromosome or does it differ in structure/function from the other nuclear chromosomes?! What does scientists say about it?! Is it counted as a chromosome ?!
 
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The DNA in a mitochondrion is circular like the DNA in bacteria.
Humans have 46 chromosomes in pairs, so we really have 23 chromosomes. 22 are somatic chromosomes and one is a sex chromosome - either X chromosome or Y chromosome.

IMO circular does not count as a chomosome, aside from the fact that a single cell can have many mitochondria, each with its own copy of DNA.
 

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