What is the structural and functional unit of life?

Question

What is the structural and functional unit of life?

1. A. Cell (Correct answer)
2. B. Organ
3. C. Tissue
4. D. Organism

Correct Answer

Option A — Cell

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Cell.

Key Points

• The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. Every living organism is made up of one or more cells, and all the essential life processes — growth, respiration, nutrition, excretion and reproduction — are carried out at the level of the cell.
• Because of this, it is often called the 'building block of life'.
• The cell was first discovered by Robert Hooke (1665), and the Cell Theory was later given by Schleiden and Schwann, stating that all living things are made of cells.

Additional Information

• tissues, organs and organisms are higher levels of organisation built up from cells, but the fundamental unit is the cell, option (A).