The smallest thing that can be alive is a single-celled organism, also known as a unicellular organism.
These organisms are incredibly small, often invisible to the naked eye, and consist of just one cell that carries out all the functions necessary for life.
Examples of single-celled organisms include bacteria, archaea, and some types of algae and fungi.
While these organisms are simple in structure, they are incredibly diverse and play crucial roles in ecosystems around the world.
For example, bacteria are essential for decomposing organic matter, fixing nitrogen, and producing various products like yogurt and cheese.
While viruses are often considered to be alive, they are not technically considered living organisms because they lack the ability to reproduce independently and require a host cell to replicate.