Cell Types & Specialization

Multicellular Organisms

KNOW THE ORDER OF THESE...

Look at some of the specialized cells of a multicellular organism

If an organism is Multicellular, their cells will often specialize to perform specific jobs. The shape of these cells helps them do their specialized job. "Form fits function"

Muscle cells: Long and fiberous, these cells have a high number of mitochondria for extra energy.

Fat cells: Extra glucose (sugar) storage means that the body can save the sugar until the body needs it.

Nervous cells: long axons with branching dendrites that passes along messages between the body and the brain.

Immune cells: seeks and destroys foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.

Blood cells: Shaped to easily slide through the blood vessels. Lacks a nucleus to allow more room for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body cells.

Examples: Multicellular Organ Systems

Bone is made up of living tissue!

Multicellular Characteristics:

More than one cell
Typically have longer lifespans
CAN usually be seen with the naked eye
Can replace damaged cells
Can reproduce asexually and/or sexually

Unicellular Organisms

If an organism is unicellular, their ONLY cell has to perform ALL life functions.

Unicellular

ONLY ONE CELL
Typically have short lifespans
Typically, cannot be seen with the naked eye (requires a microscope to see them)
Injury to a single cell can cause immediate death.
MUST reproduce asexually (without a partner) because it DOES NOT HAVE any other cells, including reproductive cells.

Examples of UNICELLULAR organisms:

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