What is the Difference Between Multicellular and Unicellular?

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The main difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms lies in the number of cells that make up the organism and how they function. Here are the key differences:

Unicellular Organisms:

  • Composed of a single cell.
  • A single cell carries out all necessary life processes.
  • Examples include bacteria, protists, yeast, amoeba, and paramecium.
  • Unicellular organisms have a simple body organization.
  • The total cell body is exposed to the environment.

Multicellular Organisms:

  • Composed of more than one cell.
  • Multiple cells perform different functions.
  • Examples include humans, plants, animals, and birds.
  • Multicellular organisms have a complex body organization.
  • Only the outer cells are exposed to the environment, while the inner cells are protected.

In unicellular organisms, all functions needed for survival are carried out by a single cell, such as feeding, growing, and reproducing. On the other hand, multicellular organisms have many different cells that work together to perform various functions, with each cell type specializing in a particular task.

Comparative Table: Multicellular vs Unicellular

Here is a table comparing the differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms:

Feature Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms
Cellularity Composed of a single cell Composed of more than one cell
Body Organization Simple body organization Complex body organization
Life Processes A single cell carries out all necessary life processes Multiple cells perform different functions
Environmental Exposure The total cell body is exposed to the environment Only the outer cells are exposed to the environment
Examples Amoeba, bacteria, and plankton Humans, animals, plants, and fungi

Unicellular organisms are single-celled organisms that carry out all necessary life processes within one cell. Examples include Amoeba, bacteria, and plankton. On the other hand, multicellular organisms are composed of many cells that work together to perform various functions. Examples of multicellular organisms include humans, animals, plants, and fungi. While all multicellular organisms are eukaryotic, unicellular organisms can be either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, depending on the type of organism.