Which of the following best describes a packet in networking?

A packet in networking is best described as a small chunk of data that includes both a header and a payload. The header contains information necessary for the routing and reassembly of the data, such as the source and destination addresses, along with other control information. The payload is the actual data being transmitted. This structure allows packets to be sent across networks more efficiently, as they can be routed independently and reassembled at the destination, even if they take different paths to get there.

Options that suggest a large unit of data or an uninterrupted stream do not accurately capture the concept of packets. While a static form of data storage implies a fixed state of data, packets are dynamic and designed for transfer across networks rather than storage.