Final answer:
Social institutions are interconnected and function together to maintain social order and fulfill societal needs. They do not operate independently from each other.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social institutions are structures in society that shape our overall social structure, operate interdependently, and are instrumental in meeting needs that can't easily be met by individuals alone. The correct option that is NOT a feature of social institutions is C. they operate completely independently from each other. Social institutions are interconnected and function together to maintain social order and fulfill societal needs. For example, education, government, and healthcare institutions work together to provide essential services and maintain a functioning society.