Why is the cell called structural and functional unit of life?

Solution:
A living organism is made up of one or more cells. Therefore, cell is structural and functional unit of life. All life functions of an organism reside in its cells. As the different parts of human body perform different functions. Similarly division of labour is also seen within a single cell. In fact each such cell has got certain specific components within it known as cell organelles. Each kind of cell organelle perform a specific function, such as making new material in the cell, clearing up the waste material from the cell and so on. Cells may also become specialised to perform specific functions like contraction in muscle cell or impulse transmission in nerve cell. Therefore, cell is functional unit of life.