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The Basic Unit of Life EssayOne of the hallmark characteristics of living things is that they perform chemical reactions. These reactions are collectively known as metabolism. Cells, the staple units of life, can perform many of these metabolic reactions. In a multi carrelled organism, the cells group together to form tissues that perform the same functions. Tissues group together to form organs, and finally, some(prenominal) organs exist together in a system. In this lesson, we will see how and why this hierarchy is established.The Basic Unit of Life All organisms from the smallest noncellular protists to huge whales and giant redwood trees are based on tiny microscopic cells. The types and number of cells may vary, but the cell is the basic unit of life.The cell is the minimum amount of organized living matter complex enough to carry out the functions of life as outlined in Lessons 1 and 2. In the most basic sense, a cell is made of a gelatinous living substance we call prot oplasm, which contains many small structures, all surrounded by a membrane.Cell Structure The cell membrane separates the living cell from the rest of the environment. However, this membrane is not just a static solid wall. It essential allow food molecules and oxygen to enter and wastes to exit. Thus, the cell membrane is semipermeable because it allows some things to pass through, but not others. It must also communicate and touch on with the membranes of other cells.Inside the cell membrane is a substance called protoplasm in which many tiny structures called organelles (because they act like small versions of organs) are suspended. approximately of the more important organelles and their functions are listed in the following table