Unicellular organism
Unicellular Organism
A Unicellular organism (pronounced: yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler awr-guh-niz-uhm) is an organism that consists of a single cell. The term "unicellular" is derived from the Latin words "uni" meaning "one" and "cella" meaning "cell".
Unicellular organisms fall into two general categories: prokaryotic organisms and eukaryotic organisms. Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea. They have no nucleus or other organelles within their cells. Eukaryotes include protozoa, certain algae, and yeast. They have a nucleus and other organelles within their cells.
Characteristics
Unicellular organisms are capable of independent life and reproduction. They carry out all necessary metabolic functions within one cell, including respiration, digestion, and reproduction.
Examples
Examples of unicellular organisms include the E. coli bacteria, the Paramecium protozoan, and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.
Importance
Unicellular organisms play a vital role in the biosphere. They are involved in nutrient cycles, and some can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. They also form the base of the food chain in many ecosystems.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Unicellular organism
- Wikipedia's article - Unicellular organism
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