What is the smallest unit of life?

The smallest unit of life is the cell. It is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. A cell is the smallest unit of an organism that is considered living because it can independently perform all the necessary functions for life, including:

• Metabolism: Carrying out chemical reactions to obtain energy and build molecules.
• Growth: Increasing in size and/or number.
• Reproduction: Creating new cells or organisms.
• Response to Stimuli: Reacting to changes in the environment.
• Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment.

Cells can be broadly classified into two main types: prokaryotic%20cells (bacteria and archaea) and eukaryotic%20cells (animals, plants, fungi, and protists). Eukaryotic cells are generally larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells, containing membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus. The nucleus houses the cell's DNA.