What is the basic unit of life?

• A. Atom
• B. Molecule
• C. Cell
• D. Organ

Answer: (C)

Life operates at the cellular level; the cell is the basic unit of life because it can carry out all the processes that define living things, such as metabolism, growth, response to the environment, and reproduction. In single-celled organisms, one cell does everything, while in multicellular organisms, many specialized cells work together. Cells have membranes, genetic material, and the machinery needed for metabolic activities. Atoms and molecules are the building blocks of matter, but they don’t perform life processes on their own; an organ is a larger structure made of tissues. So the smallest unit that can demonstrate life is the cell.