Final answer:
The characteristic not a basic property of cells is that cells carry out a variety of emotional reactions. Basic cellular properties include growth, response to stimuli, mechanical activities, self-regulation, and the ability to evolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic that is not a basic property of cells is a) Cells carry out a variety of emotional reactions. Cells are not known to have emotions, which are psychological states and not a cellular property. Basic properties of cells include being able to grow and divide, responding to stimuli (irritability), engaging in various mechanical activities, self-regulation (maintaining homeostasis), and the ability to evolve over time.
For instance, cells require energy to perform cellular functions and actively generate force in response to the physical properties of their environment. They also show excitability as they can respond to stimuli such as neurotransmitters in their surroundings, an essential feature for survival and function. However, emotions are complex responses involving multiple organ systems, particularly the brain, which is not a property of individual cells.