Why is the perception of the correlation of the universe vs the atomic and subatomic structures so difficult to relate to as the same? If you visualize the universe as a single cell instead of this huge object who's borders are incomprehendable to humans you can more easily understand. It will make more sense to liken it to a single cell or group of cells to understand the similarities. The only difference I can see is that we cannot see smaller objects as easily as we can see larger objects. Just think about this: small animals (insects) can see or detect much smaller objects than we can see unless aided by machines which magnify what we see. The machines have limitations to what we may be able to perceive just as the machines we use to see the universe have limitations to what we may be able to visually analyze.
Both living cells and the universes use heat to consume matter and change matter into new forms which can be used more effectively by that particular entity.
What if there is a life form, which is much larger than all of the universes put together, trying to come to any conclusion about the existence of life in our little universe! Can you now see how difficult that would be? Are we not having the same problem determining what the universe is?