Unicellular and Colonial Organisms

What is a unicellular organism?

An organism made of only one cell.

What is a colonial organism?

A group of genetically identical individuals living together.

Are all prokaryotes unicellular?

Yes

Give examples of unicellular prokaryotes.

E. coli and Salmonella.

What are protists?

Mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms.

Give an example of a protist.

Plasmodium

Why do unicellular organisms need moist environments?

They rely on diffusion, osmosis, and active transport across the membrane.

How do unicellular organisms obtain nutrients?

Through diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

How do unicellular organisms remove wastes?

Through diffusion and active transport across the membrane.

What survival processes must unicellular organisms perform themselves?

Nutrition, waste removal, gas exchange, and reproduction.

Why do colonial organisms benefit from living together?

Safety in numbers and cooperation between individuals.

What does genetically identical mean?

Having the same genetic material (DNA).

What is a unicellular colonial organism?

A colony made of many single-celled organisms living together.

Are cells in unicellular colonial organisms specialised?

No

Can cells in unicellular colonial organisms survive independently?

Yes

What is an example of a unicellular colonial organism?

Volvox

What type of organism is Volvox?

A colonial green algae.

What processes does each Volvox cell perform?

Photosynthesis, respiration, and reproduction.

Does each Volvox cell have its own nucleus?

Yes

What is a multicellular colonial organism?

A colony made of multicellular organisms living together.

What is an example of a multicellular colonial organism?

Coral

What is a coral polyp?

A small multicellular organism that forms part of a coral colony.

Why do coral polyps form colonies?

To increase survival, share resources, and build reefs.

What are zooids?

Genetically identical specialised individuals in some colonial organisms.

What colonial organism contains zooids?

Bluebottle

Can bluebottle zooids survive independently?

No

What functions do zooids perform?

Floating, feeding, reproduction, and defence.

What is the difference between unicellular and colonial organisms?

Unicellular organisms consist of one cell, while colonial organisms are groups of organisms living together.

What is the difference between unicellular colonial and multicellular colonial organisms?

Unicellular colonial organisms are single-celled individuals; multicellular colonial organisms are made of many-celled individuals.