The simplest level at which life may exist is often considered to be at the cellular level, specifically within prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea. These single-celled organisms can carry out all necessary life processes, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli, without the complexity of multicellular structures.
Additionally, some researchers discuss the possibility of life existing at a molecular level, such as simple self-replicating molecules (like RNA) that can undergo natural selection. However, in the context of biological life as we understand it, prokaryotic cells represent the simplest and most fundamental forms of life.
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