The datatype SMALLINT stores . . . . . . . .

This question is about the SMALLINT data type in MySQL.
Data types in databases define the kind of data a column can hold.
SMALLINT is used for storing whole numbers (integers).

Let's break down the options:
Option A: 16 bit - This is the correct answer. SMALLINT in MySQL uses 16 bits to store integer values.
Option B: 32 bit - This is incorrect. 32 bits are used by the INT data type.
Option C: 48 bit - This is incorrect. There's no data type in MySQL that uses 48 bits.
Option D: 8 bit - This is incorrect. 8 bits are used by the TINYINT data type.

So, the answer is Option A: 16 bit.