What are the differences between multicellular and unicellular?

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Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Multicellular Organisms

Unicellular Organisms

Definition

Refer to organisms that are composed of more than one cell

Refer to organisms that are composed of a single cell

Type of body organization

Complex

Simple

Presence of cell differentiation

Cell differentiation is present

Cell differentiation is absent

Shape

Have a definite shape

Have irregular shapes

Exposure to environment

Only the outermost cells are exposed to the environment

Whole cell is exposed to the environment

Microscope/Macroscopic

Most are macroscopic in nature

Are microscopic in nature

Cell differentiation

Present

Absent

Cell functions

Different cells perform different functions

A single cell performs all necessary life processes

Life span

Have a comparatively longer lifespan

Have a short lifespan

Effect on injury on the organism

Injury to a cell does not cause the death of the organism

Injury to the cell causes the death of the organism

Reproduction

May be sexual or asexual

Mostly asexual but sexual reproduction is also seen in the form of conjugation

Autotrophs/Heterotrophs

Includes autotrophs and heterotrophs

Can be autotrophs or heterotrophs

Transportation

Occurs by simple diffusion, active and passive transport

Occurs by simple diffusion

Division of labor

Is at cellular, tissue, organs and organ system level

Is at the organelle level

Eukaryotes/prokaryotes

Includes only eukaryotes

Includes both eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Examples

Humans, animals, plants, birds, and insects

Bacteria, amoeba, paramecium, and yeast

Basis of differentiation	Multicellular Organisms	Unicellular Organisms
Definition	Refer to organisms that are composed of more than one cell	Refer to organisms that are composed of a single cell
Type of body organization	Complex	Simple
Presence of cell differentiation	Cell differentiation is present	Cell differentiation is absent
Shape	Have a definite shape	Have irregular shapes
Exposure to environment	Only the outermost cells are exposed to the environment	Whole cell is exposed to the environment
Microscope/Macroscopic	Most are macroscopic in nature	Are microscopic in nature
Cell differentiation	Present	Absent
Cell functions	Different cells perform different functions	A single cell performs all necessary life processes
Life span	Have a comparatively longer lifespan	Have a short lifespan
Effect on injury on the organism	Injury to a cell does not cause the death of the organism	Injury to the cell causes the death of the organism
Reproduction	May be sexual or asexual	Mostly asexual but sexual reproduction is also seen in the form of conjugation
Autotrophs/Heterotrophs	Includes autotrophs and heterotrophs	Can be autotrophs or heterotrophs
Transportation	Occurs by simple diffusion, active and passive transport	Occurs by simple diffusion
Division of labor	Is at cellular, tissue, organs and organ system level	Is at the organelle level
Eukaryotes/prokaryotes	Includes only eukaryotes	Includes both eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Examples	Humans, animals, plants, birds, and insects	Bacteria, amoeba, paramecium, and yeast

Basis of differentiation

Multicellular Organisms

Unicellular Organisms

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