How many pairs of chromosomes are there in human beings?

Human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes. 

The typical human karyotype consists of 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. Each chromosome in a pair is referred to as a homolog, and each pair has one chromosome inherited from the mother and one chromosome inherited from the father. 

There are 22 pairs of autosomes, which are similar in size and shape and carry the majority of the genetic information, and one pair of sex chromosomes, which determine an individual's sex. 

In females, the sex chromosomes can be two X chromosomes or one X and one Y chromosome (in males).