Which sentence is correct?
Unicellular organisms must be able to survive on their own
In multicellular organisms, such as humans, all cells have similar functions
None of the above sentences is correct
Unicellular organisms have mitochondria, while cells from multicellular organisms don’t
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct sentence is: “Unicellular organisms must be able to survive on their own.”
Explanation:
Unicellular organisms are composed of only one cell, and this single cell is responsible for carrying out all of the necessary functions required for survival, including metabolism, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Examples of unicellular organisms include bacteria, yeast, and protozoa. Since they are made up of just one cell, the organism cannot rely on other cells to perform specialized functions, so the one cell must be versatile and capable of carrying out all of the functions that are needed to sustain life.
On the other hand, the other sentences are incorrect for the following reasons:
- “In multicellular organisms, such as humans, all cells have similar functions.”
This sentence is incorrect because, in multicellular organisms like humans, different cells have specialized functions. For example, muscle cells, nerve cells, and skin cells have very different structures and roles. Each type of cell performs a specific function within the organism, contributing to the overall functioning of the body. - “Unicellular organisms have mitochondria, while cells from multicellular organisms don’t.”
This sentence is also incorrect. Mitochondria are found in the cells of most eukaryotic organisms, both unicellular (like yeast and some protozoa) and multicellular organisms (like humans). Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of the cell, providing energy in the form of ATP. Prokaryotic unicellular organisms (such as bacteria) do not have mitochondria, but eukaryotic unicellular organisms (like protists) and all multicellular organisms do.
The key distinction between unicellular and multicellular organisms is that unicellular organisms rely on one cell to perform all necessary life processes, whereas multicellular organisms depend on specialized cells that work together to maintain the organism’s overall function.
Would you like me to generate a visual to help explain the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms?