What is unicellular?

The first thing we are going to do to determine the meaning of the term unicellular is to know its etymological origin. In this sense, it must be said that it derives from Latin, since it results from the sum of two words of that language: “inus”, which can be translated as “one”, and the noun “cell”, which is equivalent to “cell”.

Unicellular is the adjective used to describe organisms that have only one cell. Cells, in turn, are the fundamental components of living beings, which can reproduce independently. It is important to keep in mind that all organisms are initially unicellular, since they come from a zygote. Over time, beings differentiate between those that maintain a single cell (unicellular) and those that are made up of multiple cells with different functions (multicellular). It should be noted that most organisms are unicellular.

It is important to point out that being multicellular is considered something positive, to the extent that it is determined that beings of this type, among other things, have more possibilities, functionalities and organs to be able to adapt with all guarantees and us. best way for the changes that are presented in their lives. Having only one cell, unicellular organisms are simpler than multicellular ones. In the case of multicellular beings, the cells specialize in different functions and combine to form tissues, which in turn join in organs that act in systems. This makes the most complex species, such as humans, multicellular. Unicellular organisms can be prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Prokaryotic organisms, also called prokaryotes, are characterized by the lack of a cell nucleus: in this way, the DNA remains free within the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic or eukaryotic organisms, on the other hand, have a nucleus that contains in DNA. There are different theories and in-depth studies on cellular organisms and one of the best known is that carried out by the botanist and ecologist Robert Hardind Whittaker (1920 – 1980), who came to determine that there were five kingdoms to be able to classify them. Specifically, he also stated that unicellular beings were grouped into three of these kingdoms: protists, monera, which is where prokaryotes are grouped, and some fungi. An example of a prokaryotic unicellular organism is bacteria. Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Leptospira are some of the things that make up this joint. As for unicellular eukaryotic organisms, we can mention protozoa, such as amoebas and paramecia.

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It must be said that there are those who use the term in question as an insult. Thus, they can tell the other person that they are “single-celled” as a way of showing that they are basic in their behavior and that they are not capable of thinking correctly, that they do not have culture or that they do not have knowledge.

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