What is an organism?

An organism is defined as an independent life form that possesses the characteristics of life, including growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. This definition encompasses a wide variety of life forms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life, and they carry out metabolic processes that sustain them.

In the context of the other options, the definitions do not align with the biological concept of an organism. For instance, substances that spoil food are more accurately described as contaminants or spoilage agents, and they do not exhibit the characteristics of life. Materials used in cooking refer to ingredients that contribute to food preparation but are not living entities. Likewise, chemicals used for preservation serve to extend the shelf-life of food products, but they do not constitute life forms themselves. Therefore, the definition of an organism as an independent life form is distinctly correct and relevant within the biological framework.