Question

what is a cell

Answer 1

the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, typically microscopic and consisting of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane. Microscopic organisms typically consist of a single cell, which is either eukaryotic or prokaryotic.

Answer 2

Welcome to OS @Ashleyx3 :)

A cell is a basic structural and functional unit of life. You have eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells as @WeepingAngel123 has pointed out. Not all cells have a nucleus - which is one of the major differences between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells. I think that the notion of the cell being the basic structural and functional unit of life comes from the fact that even if organised into tissues and organs, the cells still account for the core functions. For instance, the liver cells detoxify the body by the breakdown of toxins using their lysosomes.