Human male chromosomes. Artwork of a chromosome (left), and light micrographs (right) showing the complete set (karyotype) of normal human male chromosomes. Humans have 46 chromosomes in most cells, consisting of 23 pairs made up of one from each parent. Chromosomes contain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which encodes genetic information (in sections called genes) that is passed from parents to their offspring. DNA is stored in the nuclei of cells. The XY chromosome pair is shown here (bottom right). It is the Y chromosome that shows that this person is male. Females have an XX chromosome pair instead.