What is the smallest entity that exhibits all the characteristics of life?View Available Hint(s)for Part Amacromoleculesa cellorganellestissues

Breakdown the Problem

1. Identify the characteristics of life that need to be exhibited.
2. Determine which option among macromolecules, a cell, organelles, and tissues meets these criteria.

Relevant Concepts

1. The characteristics of life typically include responsiveness to the environment, growth and development, reproduction, metabolism, homeostasis, heredity, and cellular organization.
2. Each option must be evaluated against these characteristics.

Analysis and Detail

1. Macromolecules: While they are essential for life (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids), they do not exhibit all life characteristics on their own, such as growth or reproduction.

2. Cell: A cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms. It exhibits all characteristics of life: it can grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and carries out metabolic processes.

3. Organelles: These are specialized structures within a cell (like mitochondria and the nucleus) that perform specific functions, but they do not independently exhibit characteristics of life.

4. Tissues: Composed of groups of cells that perform a specific function, tissues are larger than cells and thus not the smallest entity.

Verify and Summarize

Based on the analysis, while macromolecules, organelles, and tissues play crucial roles in the framework of life, they do not independently meet all life characteristics. The cell, being the basic unit that can function independently, clearly fulfills all criteria.

Final Answer

The smallest entity that exhibits all the characteristics of life is a cell.