\UNICELLULAR ORGANISM
Identifying features of living organism.
1. Organization: Living organisms are highly organized, with complex structures made up of cells
or a single cell.
2. Growth: Living organisms grow and develop, increasing in size and complexity over time.
3. Metabolism: Living organisms undergo metabolic processes to obtain energy from nutrients
and carry out life-sustaining functions.
4. Response to Stimuli: Living organisms respond to external stimuli from the environment,
adapting to changes for survival.
5. Reproduction: Living organisms reproduce, passing on genetic material to offspring, ensuring
the continuation of their species.
6. Homeostasis: Living organisms maintain internal stability or equilibrium, regulating their
internal environment despite external changes.
7. Evolution: Living organisms evolve over time through genetic changes, adapting to their
environment and exhibiting diversity within species.
Non-Living Entities:
1. Lack of Organization: Non-living entities lack the complex organization found in living
organisms, typically consisting of simple structures or no defined structure at all.
2. No Growth or Development: Non-living entities do not grow or develop over time.
3. No Metabolism: Non-living entities do not possess metabolic processes to obtain and utilize
energy.
4. No Response to Stimuli: Non-living entities do not respond to stimuli from the environment.
5. No Reproduction: Non-living entities do not reproduce or pass on genetic material.
6. No Homeostasis: Non-living entities do not maintain internal stability or regulate their internal
environment.
7. No Evolution: Non-living entities do not undergo genetic changes or evolve over time.
Seven Processes Every Living Organism Carries Out:
1. Nutrition: Obtaining and processing nutrients for energy and growth.
2. Respiration: Utilizing oxygen to release energy from nutrients.
3. Movement: Changing position or moving internally or externally.
4. Sensitivity: Responding to stimuli in the environment.
5. Growth: Increasing in size or complexity.
6. Reproduction: Producing offspring, either sexually or asexually.
7. Excretion: Removing waste products of metabolism.
8.
9. Virus do not perform any of the seven life processes outside the host body.
As soon as they enter the host body they start performing all the seven life processes.
The virus only lets the genetic material(RNA or DNA) enter the host cell and destroys the hosts
genetic material. It uses the host’s resources to propagate and cause disease in the host
organism. This way the host dies and virus become inactive until it finds another host.
Brief Description of the Five Kingdoms:
1. Plants (Plantae): Multicellular organisms, autotrophic, with cell walls made of cellulose.
Example: Oak tree (Quercus).
(Multicellular with multiple cells, autotrophic mean they make their own food)
A plant cell is a fundamental unit of structure and function in plants. It is a type of eukaryotic
cell, containing a true nucleus enclosed within a nuclear membrane. Plant cells possess various
organelles, including chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus,
vacuoles, and a cell wall. Chloroplasts are unique to plant cells and are responsible for
photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. The cell
wall, composed primarily of cellulose, provides structural support and protection for the cell.
Plant cells also have a large central vacuole, which stores water, nutrients, and waste products
and helps maintain turgor pressure, contributing to the rigidity of plant tissues. Additionally,
plant cells have a flexible plasma membrane that regulates the passage of substances into and
out of the cell. Plant cells come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the plant species and
tissue type. They play essential roles in plant growth, development, and adaptation to
environmental conditions.
Plant cell Animal cell
2. Animals (Animalia): Multicellular organisms, heterotrophic, capable of movement. Example:
Lion (Panthera leo).
(Hetrotrophic means organisms that eat or consume food)
An animal cell is a fundamental unit of structure and function in animals, including humans. It is
a eukaryotic cell, characterized by the presence of a true nucleus enclosed within a nuclear
membrane. Animal cells also contain various organelles, including the mitochondria,
endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and centrioles. These organelles carry out
specific functions such as energy production, protein synthesis, intracellular transport, waste
disposal, and cell division. Animal cells lack a cell wall but are surrounded by a flexible plasma
membrane that regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. They typically have a
round or irregular shape and vary in size depending on the organism and tissue type. Animal
cells play vital roles in maintaining homeostasis, supporting tissue structure and function, and
contributing to the overall health and functioning of multicellular organisms.
3. Fungi (Fungi): Mostly multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, often decomposers. Example:
Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).
(Decomposer is an organism that feeds on dead organisms or animal wastes, causing them to
decay. Decay is the breakdown of dead organisms or animal, which allows the substances they
contain to be recycled)
Fungi cells are primarily eukaryotic, meaning they contain a true nucleus enclosed within a
nuclear membrane. These cells are typically characterized by having a cell wall made of chitin,
which provides structural support and protection. Fungi cells contain various organelles similar
to those found in other eukaryotic cells, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi
apparatus, and vacuoles. However, they lack chloroplasts and are generally heterotrophic,
meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic matter from their surroundings. Fungi cells
often exist as multicellular structures, such as hyphae or mycelium, which form the body of the
fungus. They play critical roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic relationships
with other organisms. Some fungi can also cause diseases in plants, animals, and humans
4. Protists (Protoctista): Mostly unicellular eukaryotes, with diverse characteristics. Example:
Amoeba (Amoeba proteus).(Eukaryotes mean cells contain a nucleus with organells)
Protoctists, also known as protists, are a diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotic
organisms that do not fit into the categories of plants, animals, or fungi. They exhibit a wide
range of forms, behaviors, and lifestyles. Some protoctists are autotrophic, capable of
photosynthesis, while others are heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients by ingesting organic matter
or absorbing dissolved nutrients from their environment. Examples of protoctists include algae,
amoebas, paramecia, and various types of plankton. Protoctists play important ecological roles
as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, symbiotic partners in mutualistic relationships, and
as components of microbial communities. Additionally, some protoctists can cause diseases in
humans, animals, and plants. Overall, protoctists contribute significantly to global biodiversity
and ecosystem functioning.
5. Prokaryotes (Monera): Unicellular organisms without a true nucleus mainly bacteria. Example:
Escherichia coli.
Bacterial cells are prokaryotic, meaning they lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles. Instead, their genetic material, typically in the form of a single circular chromosome,
is found in the nucleoid region of the cell. Bacterial cells are typically much smaller and simpler
in structure compared to eukaryotic cells. They are surrounded by a cell membrane and have a
rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan, which provides shape and protection. Some bacteria
possess flagella or pili for movement or adhesion. Bacteria reproduce primarily through binary
fission, a form of asexual reproduction where a single cell divides into two identical daughter
cells. Bacteria play crucial roles in various ecological processes, including nutrient cycling,
decomposition, and symbiotic relationships with other organisms. While many bacteria are
harmless or beneficial, some can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants.
Bacteria
6. Virus: A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that cannot replicate on its own and
requires a host cell to multiply. It consists of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in
a protein coat called a capsid. Viruses are not considered living organisms because they
lack cellular structure and metabolic processes. They infect a wide range of organisms,
including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria, causing diseases such as the common
cold, influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19. The viral replication process involves
attachment to host cells, injection of genetic material, replication of viral components,
assembly of new viruses, and release from the host cell, often causing damage or
destruction to the host in the process. Vaccines and antiviral medications are commonly
used to prevent or treat viral infections.
Basic Plant and Animal Cells: Similarities and Differences:
Similarities:
• Both have cell membranes, cytoplasm, and genetic material (DNA), nucleus
• Both undergo processes like respiration and protein synthesis.
Differences:
• Plant cells have cell walls, chloroplasts, and large central vacuoles, while animal cells lack these
structures.
• Animal cells often have lysosomes, while plant cells may have smaller or fewer lysosomes.
Difference and Similarities Between a Virus and Typical cell(Plant or Animal Cells):
Similarities:
• Both contain genetic material (DNA or RNA).
• Both can undergo reproduction, though viruses require a host cell.
Differences:
• Viruses are acellular, non-living entities, while plant and animal cells are cellular and living
organisms.
• Plant and animal cells have membrane-bound organelles, while viruses lack these structures.
Difference and Similarities Between Bacteria and Typical Cells:
Similarities:
• Both contain genetic material (DNA).
• Both have cell membranes and cytoplasm.
Differences:
• Bacteria are prokaryotic cells lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while plant
and animal cells are eukaryotic.
• Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts, while animal cells do not. Bacteria may have a cell
wall, but it's chemically distinct from that of plants.
Difference and Similarities Between Fungi and Plant and Animal Cells:
Similarities:
• All are eukaryotic, with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• Both fungi and plants have cell walls.
Differences:
• Fungi are heterotrophic, while plant cells are autotrophic.
• Fungi have chitin cell walls, while plant cells have cellulose cell walls. Animal cells lack cell walls.
