Definition: Keeping the internal conditions of the cell stable.
Real-world example: Imagine a water-balloon fight on a hot day. If the water balloons (cells) don't keep the right amount of water inside them, they could burst or shrivel up. Unicellular organisms use things like contractile vacuoles to keep the water content just right. Think of it like having a little squirt gun inside the balloon to control how much water is inside!

Metabolism

Definition: All the chemical reactions happening inside the cell.
Real-world example: Your daily routine! From brushing your teeth to eating breakfast, all these activities make up your day. Similarly, inside a cell, various reactions are going on all the time to keep it alive. It's like a busy city inside a tiny bubble!

Nutrition

Definition: Getting and using the nutrients needed for energy, growth, and repair.
Real-world example: Think of a cell like a hungry Pac-Man, gobbling up food to get energy. Paramecium and other unicellular organisms eat smaller creatures, digest them in food vacuoles, and absorb the good stuff!

Excretion

Definition: Getting rid of waste products.
Real-world example: You know when you take the trash out? Cells do the same thing but with waste products from metabolism. They kick it out through the membrane. It's like having a tiny garbage chute!

Growth

Definition: Increase in cell size or number of cells.
Real-world example: Ever grown a plant from a seed? A cell's growth is similar! It takes in nutrients and uses them to grow bigger or even multiply by dividing into two.

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Biology HL

Theme A - Unity & diversity

Explore Unicellular Life's Mysteries!

682 words

4 mins read

Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Essential life processes in unicellular organisms 🦠

Unique features of specific unicellular organisms 🧫

Paramecium

hlamydomonas

Examining the testate amoeba - arcella gibbosa 🧐

Sample questions (data-based)

Conclusion 🎉

Essential life processes in unicellular organisms 🦠

Homeostasis

Definition: Keeping the internal conditions of the cell stable.
Real-world example: Imagine a water-balloon fight on a hot day. If the water balloons (cells) don't keep the right amount of water inside them, they could burst or shrivel up. Unicellular organisms use things like contractile vacuoles to keep the water content just right. Think of it like having a little squirt gun inside the balloon to control how much water is inside!

Metabolism

Definition: All the chemical reactions happening inside the cell.
Real-world example: Your daily routine! From brushing your teeth to eating breakfast, all these activities make up your day. Similarly, inside a cell, various reactions are going on all the time to keep it alive. It's like a busy city inside a tiny bubble!

Nutrition

Definition: Getting and using the nutrients needed for energy, growth, and repair.
Real-world example: Think of a cell like a hungry Pac-Man, gobbling up food to get energy. Paramecium and other unicellular organisms eat smaller creatures, digest them in food vacuoles, and absorb the good stuff!

Excretion

Definition: Getting rid of waste products.
Real-world example: You know when you take the trash out? Cells do the same thing but with waste products from metabolism. They kick it out through the membrane. It's like having a tiny garbage chute!

Growth

Definition: Increase in cell size or number of cells.
Real-world example: Ever grown a plant from a seed? A cell's growth is similar! It takes in nutrients and uses them to grow bigger or even multiply by dividing into two.

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