Why is the cell elementary?

The cell is elemental because it is the smallest unit of life that does what all living organisms do and because you cannot divide an organism into anything less than a cell and still have a living being. The body of all organisms consists of a cell and all functions of the body are performed by cells (physiological, biochemical, etc.). The cell is the primary form that exhibits the characteristics of “life”. It divides, metabolizes, assimilates, transforms, and so on. Inanimate matter does none of this.