According to cell theory, what are cells recognized as?

Cells are recognized as the basic units of structure and function in living organisms, which is a central tenet of cell theory. This principle highlights that all living things are composed of cells, and these cells serve as the fundamental building blocks that make up the various structures within an organism. Each cell operates within its own capacity to contribute to the overall functioning of that organism, whether through metabolism, growth, or reproduction.

This understanding is pivotal in biology, as it establishes that the properties and characteristics of life arise not from the individual components of life but from the collective interactions and processes that occur within the cellular framework. Cells carry out essential life processes and can differentiate into various types, each with specialized functions, thereby contributing to the organism's overall existence and viability.

The other options introduce concepts that can be related to cells but do not accurately encapsulate the essence of cell theory. For example, while cells can be involved in reproduction, this alone does not define what cells are. Similarly, cells are not "components of DNA"; rather, they contain DNA as part of their structure, and it serves as the genetic material for the organism. Lastly, categorizing cells as "complex organisms" is misleading, as cells are the building blocks that make up complex