I think the scientist distinguish whether an entity is living or non living be describing the single unit of life, the live cell that could multiply, reproduce and generate trough time also through ages. I hope you are satisfied with my answer and feel free to ask for more
Answer;
-Zygote
When sperm and ovum unite at conception, a zygote results.
Explanation;
-Conception occurs when a sperm cell from a fertile man swims up through the vagina and into the uterus of a woman and joins with the woman's egg cell (ovum) as it travels down one of the Fallopian tubes from the ovary to the uterus.
-A zygote is the union of the sperm cell and the ovum. Also known as a fertilized ovum, the zygote begins as a single cell but divides rapidly in the days following fertilization. After this two-week period of cell division, the zygote eventually becomes an embryo.
Answer:
I believe it would be mitosis.
Explanation: