Why cell is the smallest unit of life?

Answer 1

The smallest unit of life is a cell when life is defined as the ability to replicate oneself. An argument can be made for prions and viruses to be the smallest units of life and although they are able replicate themselves, they are unable to do so without a host. I would argue that cells in an animal or plant would be unable to replicate themselves without the oxygen and nutrients that they receive by being part of an overall system. Another interesting thing to ponder is that mitochondria; the cell's power source are capable of reproducing themselves within the cell body, but again, need the cell's nourishment to be able to divide.

Answer 2

Cells are considered the smallest unit of life because they are the basic structural, functional, and biological units of all living organisms. Each cell is capable of carrying out essential life processes such as metabolism, reproduction, and responding to stimuli. Additionally, cells are the building blocks of tissues and organs in multicellular organisms.

Answer 3

because it is the smallest living creature, present in our body any our body is constitute of it