SCIENCE 2.0

Unicellular Organisms

Living things made of a single cell. Usually tiny, can survive everywhere that sustains life. They share similar characteristics to other living organisms.

Examples of Unicellular Organisms

Paramecia, E. coli, Phytoplankton, Bacteria, Amoeba

Cilia

Tiny hairs that propel the organism along.

Flagellum

A tail-like thing that rotates and lashes, allowing E. coli to move.

Amoeba

Dangerous unicellular organisms found in fresh and saltwater. Can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. They change shape to capture their prey. They change their cytoplasm into extensions called pseudopods to move around. 

Cellular Respiration

When mitochondria provide energy for the cell by converting oxygen and sugar into carbon dioxide and water.

Photosynthesis

When the chlorophyll in chloroplasts capture the Sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen.

Cell Division

When a cell splits in half to form two smaller cells. The nucleus splits first and cell division is easier to see in unicellular organisms.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms that have more than one cell. They rely on many different cells to perform cellular functions.

Specialized Cells

Cells that perform specific functions and must interact with other types of cells to carry out their tasks.

Why are unicellular organisms usually micro-sized?

Cellular activities are performed most efficiently at that size.

What some example of specialized cells in the body?

Skin cells, bone cells, muscle cells, brain cells, and nerve cells.

How are unicellular organisms similar to multicellular organisms?

Just like multicellular organisms, unicellular organisms have organelles, create and elminate waste, and they can adapt to their environment.

Where do unicellular organisms live?

Anywhere that can sustain life, so almost all habitats.

How do paramecia move?

They use cilia.

How do amoebas move?

They use extensions of their cytoplasm called pseudopods.

Why are phytoplankton important to life on Earth?

They provide most of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.

What are some things that have specialized animal cells?

Blood, skin, and muscle.

What are some things that have specialized plant cells? What are their functions?

Leafs, roots, and stems. Leaf cells contain chloroplasts which perform photosynthesis. Plant stems transport water and minerals throughout the plant. The plant root absorbs water and nutrients from the soil and transports these resources to the stem.

What are plants and animals?

They are multicellular organisms.

What do specialized cells do?

They perform very specific functions.

Does cellular respiration happen in both plant and animal cells?

Yes. Cellular respiration happens in all cells for both plants and animals.

A nuclear power station could be compared to a cell's _____

Mitochondria

A police force could be compared to the cell's ____

Membrane.

A delivery service could be compared to the cell's _____

Golgi Apparatus.

A reservoir could be compared to the cell's ____

Vacuole.

Which organelle turns energy stored in sugars to usable energy?

The Mitochondria.

Why is cell division important to cells?

It replaces old and dying cells so they don't go extinct because many cells have short lifespans.

Unicellular decomposers

A group of single-celled organisms that are essential for life on earth.