- A Metabolism is restricted to multicellular organisms, not unicellular ones
- B Isolated metabolic reactions in cell-free extracts are not considered alive
- C Non-living matter typically shows a faster metabolic rate than living matter
- D Metabolism occurs in plants but is absent in most animal cells
Correct answer: B. Isolated metabolic reactions in cell-free extracts are not considered alive
Explanation: Cell-free systems can perform many individual biochemical reactions in a test tube, but such isolated reactions occurring outside the body are not considered an indicator of life on their own.
Concept context
Biodiversity, taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, the taxonomic hierarchy, and taxonomic aids like herbaria and botanical gardens. The foundational first chapter of NCERT Biology.