Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms: A Comparative Analysis
Unicellular and multicellular organisms differ in structure, division of labor, specialization, exposure to environment, response to injury, size limitations, lifespan, and ability to divide. Unicellular organisms have a single-cell body, limited operational efficiency, and face challenges in size and lifespan compared to multicellular organisms with specialized cells, higher operational efficiency, and longer lifespan.
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Presentation Transcript
Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms Creating a T Chart of Benefits and Limitations
Structure Unicellular Organism Body is made up of a single cell Multicellular Organism Body is made up of numerous cells
Division of Labor Unicellular Organism Division of labor is at the organelle level. It gives a low level of operational efficiency Multicellular Organism Division of labor may be at cellular, tissue, organ and organ system level. It gives a high degree of operational efficiency
Specialization Unicellular Organism A single cell carries out all the life processes Multicellular Organism Different cells are specialized to perform different functions
Exposure to Environment Unicellular Organism The cell body is exposed to the external environment on all sides Multicellular Organism Only outer cells are specialized to face the environment. Inner cells are devoted to other functions
Injury Unicellular Organism An injury of the cells can cause death of the organism Multicellular Organism Injury or death of some cells does not affect the organisms as the same can be replaced by new one
Size Limitation Unicellular Organism A cell body cannot attain a large size because of the limit imposed by surface area to volume ratio Multicellular Organism A multicellular body can attain a large size by increasing the number of small cells
Lifespan Unicellular Organism Lifespan is short due to heavy load of work Multicellular Organism Lifespan is long due to limited load of work for each cell type
Ability to Divide Unicellular Organism Power of division is not lost Multicellular Organism Certain specialized cells lose power of division (ex. Nerve cells)
Regeneration Unicellular Organism A well-marked capacity of regeneration is present Multicellular Organism The capacity of regeneration decreases with increasing specialization (more special = less easy to regenerate)
Cell Roles Unicellular Organism The cell has the same role for itself and the organism Multicellular Organism Cells have a double role. One for themselves and other for the organism
Unicellular organism Body is made up of a single cell Multicellular organism 1. Body is made up of numerous cells Division of labor may be at cellular, tissue, organ and organ system level. It gives high degree of operational efficiency 2. It gives a low level of operational efficiency Division of labor is at the organelle level. 3. processes A single cell carries out all the life Different cells are specialized to perform different functions Only outer cells are specialized to face the environment. Inner cells are devoted to other functions 4. environment on all sides The cell body is exposed to the external Injury or death of some cells does not affect the organisms as the same can be replaced by new one. 5. the organism. An injury of the cells can cause death of 6. because of the limit imposed by surface area to volume ratio A cell body cannot attain a large size A multicellular body can attain a large size by increasing the number of small cells 7. work Lifespan is short due to heavy load of Lifespan is long due to limited load of work for each cell type Certain specialized cells lose power of division (ex. Nerve cells) 8. Power of division is not lost The capacity of regeneration decreases with increasing specialization (more special = less easy to regenerate) 9. present A well-marked capacity of regeneration is 10. the organism The cell has the same role for itself and Cells have a double role. One for themselves and other for the organism
