What is the basic unit of life?

The basic unit of life is the cell. Cells are the smallest units that can carry out all life processes, making them fundamental to the structure and function of living organisms. They are responsible for various functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Each type of cell has specialized structures and functions, but all share the characteristic of being able to maintain homeostasis and respond to environmental changes.

In multicellular organisms, cells can group together to form tissues, which are specific collections of cells that perform a particular function. Tissues then combine to form organs, which are made up of multiple tissue types working together. Organelles are specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions, but they are not considered independent units of life themselves. Therefore, while tissue, organelle, and organ are all important biological structures, they do not serve as the foundational unit of life the way cells do.