a cell
This question is vague therefore I have provided two answers and explanations. The single cell is the smallest living unit within a living system. Quarks are the smallest particles of matter and atoms which composes all living things.
An animal is a living thing.
The smallest living things depend on how a living thing is defined. Some biologists do not believe viruses are living organisms because there are no free living forms (all are parasitic) and because they must reply on their host for reproduction. Others believe that, despite this, they have an existence of their own separate to the host and are subject to natural selection and are therefore alive. If you accept viruses are not alive, the smallest living things would be amongst the bacteria or protists. Bacteria are single celled organisms with no cell nucleus while protists have a nucleus. Generally the bacteria are slightly smaller but their sizes overlap. If you accept that viruses are alive, the smallest group are the Parvoviruses between 18 and 26 nanometres. These are single stranded DNA viruses. 1 nm = 1/1000000000 metres or 0.000039 inches.
If it was a living thing when you use your pencil it would cry and scream that you are hurting it. I can’t imagine what it would do in a pencil sharpener as a living thing.
I think currently the smallest living organisms are thought to be "viroids", which are smaller than viruses. Scientists are still figuring out exactly what viroids are, and do, but they are able to replicate, which means they are life.
The cell is the smallest living thing and an atom is the smallest non-living thing.
what is the smallest living thing microbiology will study
A cell is the smallest part of a living thing that can carry out life processes.
Because a flea is made up of cells, and cells are living things. So the smallest living thing is a cell.
Smallest block that makes up a living thing is the cell, although some debate that virus, which is much smaller than a cell, is a living thing.
Bacteria
cells
The atom is the smallest unit containing a nucleus. However, this is not considered living. The smallest living thing in the world (besides viruses) are a parasitic Bacterium called Mycoplasma Gallicepticum.
No, the atom is not because its not even living
The Cell ....
a cell
The smallest unit of a living thing that can perform all life processes is a cell. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. They can carry out essential functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.