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Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms

1. Unicellular organisms are composed of a single cell that carries out all necessary life processes, while multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells that each perform different functions. 2. Some examples of unicellular organisms are amoebas, euglenas, and paramecium, while humans, plants, and insects are examples of multicellular organisms. 3. Both unicellular and multicellular organisms share similarities like containing DNA, ribosomes, and utilizing cellular processes like homeostasis, but multicellular organisms display more complex body organization and cell differentiation.

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242 views5 pages

Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms

1. Unicellular organisms are composed of a single cell that carries out all necessary life processes, while multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells that each perform different functions. 2. Some examples of unicellular organisms are amoebas, euglenas, and paramecium, while humans, plants, and insects are examples of multicellular organisms. 3. Both unicellular and multicellular organisms share similarities like containing DNA, ribosomes, and utilizing cellular processes like homeostasis, but multicellular organisms display more complex body organization and cell differentiation.

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Deasserei Tatel
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ACTIVITY 2

Structure and Function of a Unicellular and Multicellular Organism

As stated initially, one major difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms is the cellularity
or the number of cells. Read on the explore more differences between the two:

Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms

Multicellular organisms are composed of more than


Unicellular organisms are composed of a single cell
one cell

Simple body organization Complex body organization

A single cell carries out all necessary life processes Multiple cells perform different functions

Only the outer cells are exposed to the


The total cell body is exposed to the environment
environment

Division of labor is at cellular, tissue, organs and


Division of labor is at the organelle level
organ system level

Includes both eukaryotes and prokaryotes Includes only eukaryotes

Multicellular organisms have a comparatively


A lifespan of a unicellular organism is usually short
longer lifespan

Injury to a cell does not cause the death of the


Injury to the cell leads to the death of the organism
multicellular organism

Asexual reproduction is predominant, however, sexual


Reproduction happens sexually as well as asexually
reproduction is also seen (conjugation)

Cell differentiation is absent Cell differentiation is present

They can be autotrophs or heterotrophs They include both autotrophs and heterotrophs
They are microscopic in nature Most are macroscopic in nature

Bacteria, amoeba, paramecium, and yeast are examples Humans, animals, plants, birds and insects, are
of unicellular organisms examples of multicellular organisms

Structure and Function of A unicellular Organisms.

Unicellular organisms are made up of only one cell that carries out all of the functions needed by the
organism, while multicellular organisms use many different cells to function. Their structure is related to
their function, meaning each type of cell takes on a particular form in order to best serve its purpose.

1. Draw a Unicellular animal and identify its parts

Some of the examples of unicellular organisms are:

 Amoeba

 Euglena
 Paramecium

 Plasmodium

 Nostoc, Salmonella ( Prokaryotic unicellular organisms)

 Protozoans, Fungi, Algae ( Eukaryotic unicellular organisms)

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms that are composed of more than one cell are called multicellular
organisms. Multicellular organisms are almost always eukaryotes. However, bacteria can form large
interlinked structures such as colonies or biofilms but these can’t be classified as multicellular
organisms.

Multicellular Organisms Examples

Some of the examples of multicellular organisms are listed below:

 All vertebrates and invertebrates

 All angiosperms, gymnosperms and higher land plants

Answer the following:

1. How do unicellular entities move?

Unicellular creatures move by utilizing cilia and flagella. Cilia and flagella can move the
cell in one direction or another by generating currents in the surrounding environment.
Unicellular creatures often dwell in watery fluids and rely on cilia, flagella, and pseudopods for
life survival.

2. How do unicellular organisms eat and reproduce?

Many unicellular creatures dwell in bodies of water and must wander about in search of
nourishment. The majority of the time, they must get nutrition by consuming other creatures.
Photosynthesis allows plant-like protists and certain microorganisms to produce their own
nourishment. Asexual reproduction is used by unicellular creatures. This asexual form of
reproduction uses a single parent to create children. Asexual reproduction modes include binary
fission, multiple fission, fragmentation, budding, and so forth.

3. State one similarity between unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Cells are a functional unit of life that exists in both single-celled and multi-celled
organisms. Both are made up of plasma membrane and cytoplasm. They have similarities in that
they both contain DNA and ribosomes for gene expression. Life qualities are shared by both
unicellular and multicellular organisms: they develop, respond to stimuli, maintain homeostasis
(internal balance), reproduce, pass on genetic material to offspring, and get or utilize energy.

4. What is cytoplasm?

Cytoplasm is a thick solution that fills each cell and is surrounded by its membrane. It is
mostly made up of water, minerals, and proteins. The cytoplasm is in charge of maintaining the
cell's components together and protecting them from harm. It is in charge of providing the cell
its form as well as storing the chemicals necessary for cellular activities.

5. What is an organelle?

Organelles are specialized structures within cells that conduct a variety of functions. The
phrase literally translates to "little organs." Organelles perform particular functions to keep a
cell alive in the same way that organs such as the heart, liver, stomach, and kidneys serve
specific roles to keep an organism alive.

6. Describe the different types of movements of organisms. Explain and provide example of
each. Write as many as you can.

A. Movement of External body parts:


 Movements of limbs, appendages, head and trunk help to maintain equilibrium
of the body,
 In many animals limbs and appendages also carry out locomotion,
 Movements of limbs, tongue, jaws, snout, appendages and tentacles enable
different animals to capture their food, and
 Movements of eye balls help to see the object, however, movements of the
pinna of the ear enable the animal to collect sound vibrations.
B. Movements of Internal Organs:
 Food and urine are moved forward by the movements of the muscles
(peristalsis) present in the digestive and urinary tracts respectively,
 Movements of cardiac muscles enables the heart to receive and distribute the
blood,
 Inspiration and expiration involves the movements of the diaphragm, ribs, etc.
 Movements of uterine wall enable the mother to give birth to a child.
C. Movement in living organisms:
 Ciliary Movement - Cilia in the human upper respiratory tract keep invading
bacteria and dust particles at bay. The cilia of the Fallopian tubes (oviducts) and
vasa efferentia of human females and men, on the other hand, carry ova and
spermatozoa.
 Flagellar Movement - Flagellar movement is seen in human sperms (a typical
example of flagellated cells). The flagellum is the apparatus used to propel
sperm towards the ovum. The whip-like action of the tail and the central portion
of the sperm causes this propulsion.
 Amoeboid (= Pseudopodial) Movement - Leucocytes have this sort of motility
(phagocytes and macrophages of the human lymphatic system).
 Muscular Movement - The majority of animals, including humans, employ this
fundamental process. This mechanism's universal characteristic is the ability to
exert force via alternating contraction and relaxation. Muscular action is
required for the movement of our limbs, mouth, tongue, and so on.

References:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/unicellular-vs-multicellular/

https://classnotes.org.in/class-9/the-fundamental-unit-of-lifecell/cytoplasm/

https://study.com/academy/answer/which-kingdom-s-include-both-unicellular-and-multicellular-
organisms.html

https://biologydictionary.net/unicellular/

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