Final answer:
A single chromosome is indeed one contiguous piece of DNA, a fact that is true for eukaryotic organisms that have double-stranded, linear chromosomes. In humans, body cells are diploid with 46 chromosomes, while gametes are haploid with 23 chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A single chromosome is one contiguous piece of DNA. This statement is true. In eukaryotes, chromosomes are double-stranded, linear DNA molecules that are packaged with proteins to form structures essential for the storage and expression of genetic information. Human somatic (body) cells contain 46 chromosomes, which is a diploid state, designated as 2n, meaning two sets of chromosomes. Gametes (sex cells), such as sperm and eggs, contain half the number of chromosomes, 23 each, which is a haploid state, designated as n.
Each chromosome has specific regions known as genes, which are responsible for the coding of proteins that determine the traits of an organism. Eukaryotic chromosomes are not the same as prokaryotic chromosomes, which typically have a single circular chromosome composed of double-stranded DNA.
Thus, chromosomes contain genetic material that is crucial for the functioning and reproduction of cells, with variations in numbers and structures between different types of organisms.