To analyze the characteristics of life, why is it useful to identify patterns at the level of molecules and cells?

It is important to study patters at the level of molecules and cells because cells are the basic unit which separate living things from non- living things.

Explanation:

At microscopic level, every organism is structurally ordered from atoms to cell. Atoms combine to make molecules which in turn combine to make macro molecules. Macro molecules combine to make organelles and organelles make cells.  Hence, molecules and cells are the basic unit to analyze the characteristics of life.

Different cells work together to make tissues, different tissues combine to make organs. Different organs work together to make organ systems which make up the organism. Hence, cells are the basic unit which define life.