The smallest component of life among the options you provided is "tissue."
Here is a breakdown of the hierarchy from smallest to largest:
- Cell (not listed in your options, but is the basic unit of life)
- Tissue (a group of similar cells)
- Organ (a structure composed of different types of tissues)
- Organ System (a group of organs that work together)
- Organism (an individual living being)
So, "tissue" is the correct answer in the context of your options.