Final answer:
The definition of an individual, as proposed by Michod, is best represented by a cohesive unit capable of independent survival and reproduction, that is, a biological entity that functions autonomously and can reproduce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following best represents the definition of an individual, as proposed by Michod? The most fitting definition, according to Michod, would be D) A cohesive unit that is capable of independent survival and reproduction. The term individual in biological context refers to an entity that can function independently and perpetuate its lineage through reproduction. Cells indeed are the smallest units of organized life and function as the basic building blocks of organisms, whether these organisms are unicellular, showing all life processes within one cell, or multicellular, exhibiting division of labor among specialized cells.
In the case of multicellular organisms, we often see organized structures from cells to tissues, organs, and organ systems, each playing a specialized function for the organism as a whole. It is important to note that the definition of an individual can extend to entities like colonial or coenocytic organisms, where the organization might differ from that of more commonly recognized multicellular life forms.