Final answer:
The false statement about human mtDNA is that it is a linear chromosome; it is actually a circular molecule. The human mitochondrial genome is approximately 16,569 bp in length, contains multiple copies in each mitochondrion, and primarily consists of genes related to mitochondrial function and protein synthesis within the mitochondria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement regarding human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is that it is a linear chromosome. In fact, human mtDNA is a circular double-stranded molecule. The human mitochondrial genome is indeed around 16,569 base pairs (bp) in length, rather than exactly 17,000 bp, but the given range is generally accurate as a rough estimate. Each mitochondrion contains multiple copies of mtDNA. The mitochondrial genome is densely packed with genes, most of which code for proteins involved in mitochondrial function, specifically the electron transport chain, along with rRNA and tRNA genes necessary for protein synthesis within the mitochondria itself.