Living Processes in Unicellular Organisms

 
2.2 Living Processes in Unicellular Organisms
 
Unicellular organisms are made up of only one cell.
 
For example: Ameoba sp. and Paramecium sp.
 
Differences of living process between Ameoba sp. and Paramecium sp.:
 

Amoeba sp.

Habitat: Freshwater and damp soil

Structural characteristics:

  • Can change shape
  • Has one nucleus
  • Has contractile vacuole and food vacuole
 

Respiration: Simple diffusion

Feeding: Phagocytosis

Movement: Extend its pseudopodium

Reproduction

  • Binary fission (favourable condition)
  • Spore formation (unfavourable condition)
 

Excretion: Osmoregulation through contractile vacuole

 

Paramecium sp.

Habitat: Freshwater

Structural characteristics:

  • Slipper-shape
  • Has cilia
  • Has two nuclei; macronucleus and micronucleus
  • Has contractile vacuole and food vacuole
 

Respiration: Simple diffusion

Feeding: Oral groove

Movement: Beats the cilia

Reproduction

  • Binary fission (favourable condition)
  • Conjugation  (unfavourable condition)
 

Excretion: Osmoregulation through contractile vacuole

 
Ameoba sp. :
 
Source:[Biology Text Book KSSM Form 4]
 
Paramecium sp. :
 
Source:[Biology Text Book KSSM Form 4]