Unicellular Organisms
Science: KS3, topic 1.1.6
Cell Adaptations
Some cells are specialised for certain purposes. This cell specialisation is the reason why Earth has been able to evolve many different types of life, with different systems, organs, and tissues.
Unicellular adaptations
- Some living things are only made up of one cell (humans are made up of trillions of cells!).
- These single-celled organisms have a few adaptations that mean they can survive.
- Some examples are on the next slides.
Flagella
- A flagellum is another word for a tail.
- Flagella help some single-celled organisms move around the habitat in which they live.
- This lets them find food, move to more favourable conditions, or avoid being eaten.
Pseudopodia
- Pseudopodia means false feet.
- Pseudopodia are small finger-like projections that you can see on the edge of some single-celled organisms.
- Pseudopodia can help the organism move, as well as catch food and help transport the food into the cell.
Test yourself on Unicellular Organisms
Which of these are true of single-celled organisms?
What type of organism can have flagella as a sub-cellular structure?
Why might a single-celled organism need adaptations such as flagella or pseudopodia to survive, unlike one cell inside a human body?
A pond where a single-celled organism lives begins to dry up. How would its flagellum most help it survive?