Final answer:
Chromatin is the correct answer, referring to the loose, thin threads of DNA wrapped around histone proteins when the cell is not dividing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most of the time, a cell's DNA is organized in loose, thin threads called chromatin. During the growth and maintenance phases of a cell's life cycle, DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones forming structures known as nucleosomes. These nucleosomes create a 'beads on a string' structure with the DNA wrapped around the histone 'beads'. It is only during cell division that chromatin condenses to form chromosomes, which are thicker, more compact, and visible under a microscope. This process ensures that DNA is safely transported to daughter cells. In humans, we have approximately 22,000 genes across 46 chromosomes, which are arranged within the nucleus of our cells.