The cell as the basic unit of life consists of

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what the cell, as the basic unit of life, consists of. We need the parts that every living cell has, whether it is an animal cell or a plant cell.

Step 2: Explain the concept A cell is made up of these main parts:

• Cell membrane (plasma membrane): found in all cells.
• Cytoplasm: the jelly-like living material where chemical reactions take place.
• Nucleus: controls the activities of the cell and holds the genetic material (DNA).

Some parts are found only in certain cells:

• Cell wall: found in plant cells, fungi and bacteria, but not in animal cells.
• Large central vacuole: typical of mature plant cells. Animal cells have only small vacuoles, or none.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Cell wall and vacuole: both are features of plant cells, and neither is found in every cell. Wrong.
• B. Nucleus and cell wall: the cell wall is absent in animal cells. Wrong.
• C. Cytoplasm and nucleus: these are the two essential living components found in cells generally. The cytoplasm carries out metabolism, and the nucleus controls the cell. This fits.
• D. Cytoplasm and vacuole: the vacuole is not universal. Wrong.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. cytoplasm and nucleus.

Tip: For "basic unit of life" questions, choose the parts every cell has (membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus). Be careful with the cell wall and the large vacuole, because they belong to plant cells only. Remember: "Cell wall and big vacuole = plants only."