In networking, data is broken into smaller, manageable pieces called 'packets' before being sent over the network. This allows for more efficient data transmission and provides a means for reassembling the data correctly at the destination. The term 'byte' refers to a unit of digital information typically consisting of eight bits, and does not represent a unit of data transmission. 'Frames' are data link layer units related to network protocols but do not specifically describe the unit of transmission itself. 'Chunks' is a non-technical term that generally refers to a piece of a larger whole but is not standardized in the context of network data transmission.