Question

Given below are two statements in the form of assertion and reason.
Assertion (A): Cellular organisation of the body is the defining feature of life forms.
Reason (R): Isolated metabolic reactions are living reactions.
Select the appropriate option among the following.

• A. Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation for A
• B. Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation for A
• C. Only A is correct
• D. Both A and R are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation for A

Metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical reactions that occur in a body, which is a characteristic feature of life. Every living organism including plants, animals, fungi, and microbes exhibit metabolism whereas non-living objects do not perform metabolism. Metabolism can take place in a cell-free environment like a test tube, outside the living body which is known as isolated metabolism. Even though these reactions that happen in-vitro are non-living things, they are included under living reactions.

The interactions and coordinations of different metabolic reactions inside a cellular system form the basis of every life form. Hence, the defining feature of life form is the cellular organisation of the body along with all the metabolic reactions that take place, not the isolated metabolic reaction.