Question

cells are made up of molecules why then do we say that the structural unit of a living thing is a cell and not a molecule

Answer 1

I also had this question 3 years ago when we first studied cells, but later I figured it out. This answer will be a bit short so please bear with it!

So first let's go to molecules. A molecule is a structure made up of two or more atoms(don't mind the short definition!). Neither atoms nor molecules are living. Molecules are just particles, they have no life.

Even though a cell is made of molecules, if you take one molecule out from the cell, it won't have life. That is, the whole cell has its molecules arranged in such a manner that it has the ability to live. Now if you take out a cell from the body, it will live (even if its for a short time, it WILL live). Hence the Cell is considered the smallest unit of life and not the molecule.

I gave you a basic description about it so please frame it properly if you like!

Answer 2

Answer:

Living organisms show specific characteristics such as growth, response to stimulus and other life functions. The cell is the basic unit which shows all the life functions. However, molecules do not show the basic life functions. Molecules are the ingredients of life, but they are not alive, cells.

As a result, the cell is the unit of a living being.