How do multicellular organisms unicellular organisms and colonies

How do multicellular organisms, unicellular organisms and colonies of unicellular differ from each other? Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland Curriculum 2. 0 – Grade 5 2012 1

Multicellular Organisms Multicellular organisms consist of specialized cells that perform different tasks within the organism’s body. The entire organism requires all the different types of cells to be present, and the individual cells cannot survive without being a part of the organism. Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland Curriculum 2. 0 – Grade 5 2012 2

Unicellular Organisms A unicellular organism is a complete living entity consisting of just one cell. It’s survival is not dependent upon other cells. Unicellular organisms may divide into two parts, with each part being a new unicellular organism that is a copy of the original cell. Paramecium caudatus Amoeba Diatoms Trypanosoma brucei Euglena Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland Curriculum 2. 0 – Grade 5 2012 3

Colonies of Unicellular Organisms A colonial organism is a collection of unicellular organisms living together. The difference between a multicellular organism and a colonial organism is that individual one-celled organisms from a colony can, if separated, survive on their own, while cells from a multicellular life-form (e. g. , cells from a brain) cannot. Volvox Algae Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland Curriculum 2. 0 – Grade 5 2012 4