Unicellular Vs Multicellular Organisms
As the name suggests, Unicellular organisms are one celled organisms.
- This single cell performs all life processes .
- For Example - Yeast , Bacteria etc
Multicellular organisms have multiple cells that have various different functions .
- For Example - Humans , plants and animals .
|
Unicellular Organism |
Multicellular organism |
|
Has only one cell that performs all body functions |
Have multiple cells to perform different body functions |
|
Complete Cell body is in contact with the external environment |
Only outer cells of the organism are in contact with the external environment |
|
Usually have short lifespan |
Have longer lifespan |
|
Injury leads to death of the organism |
Injury to one cell does not lead to death of the organism. |
|
Reproduce mainly asexually |
Reproduce sexually as well as asexually |
|
For Example - Bacteria , Yeast etc |
For Example - Humans , plants , animals etc |
Prokaryotic Cell Vs Eukaryotic Cell
- A prokaryotic cell is a unicellular, primitive , simple type of cell characterised by the absence of a nucleus .
- Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound cell organelles .
- Since Prokaryotes have no nucleus, their DNA is scattered throughout the cell .
- For Example - Bacteria, Archaea
- Eukaryotic cells are cells that possess a nucleus .
- They have membrane-bound organelles .
- The DNA is contained in the nucleus .
- Eukaryotes can either be unicellular or multicellular .
- For example - Plants , Animals , Fungi etc.
| Prokaryotic Cell | Eukaryotic Cell | |
| Cell Size | Smaller | larger |
| Cell Type | Unicellular | Usually multicellular but can be unicellular |
| Plasma Membrane | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Endoplasmic Reticulum | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Nucleus | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Chloroplast | ❌ |
✔️ In plants |
| Golgi Apparatus | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Ribosomes |
✔️ smaller |
✔️ larger |
| Mitochondria |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Examples |
Bacteria |
Animals and plants |