Consider the following definition: "A cell is the smallest unit of an organism capable of independent functioning, composed of a membrane, enclosing a nucleus, cytoplasm and inanimate matter."

Which of the following phrases best criticized this definition?

a. Cells do not typically possess a membrane.

b. Organisms are not generally composed of cells.

c. Human cells die apart from the body that supports them.

d. The nucleus is usually on the outside surface of the cell. Inanimate matter cannot possibly exist inside an animate object.

In the given question, the characteristic of a cell is best described that is they possess membrane which is semi-permeable in nature, they enclose the organelles like nucleus inside of the cell, the inanimate matter and the cytoplasm but the cell is the smallest unit of the organism which are capable of independent functioning is not correct.

The cell of a multicellular organism cannot function independently but the cells of multicellular organisms interact with other cells to perform their function and cannot survive without the cells that support them.

Thus, Option-C is the correct answer.