Organisms that reproduce sexually receive half their chromosomes from each parent, with mother and father each contributing one member of each chromosome pair to their offspring. The diploid number is the total number of chromosomes in the nucleus of a diploid cell of the species, while the haploid number is the total number of chromosomes in the nucleus of a haploid cell of the species. The most familiar type of haploid cell is a gamete or sex cell. So, ordinary body cells in humans have 46 chromosomes while sperm and eggs contain only 23.