Chapter 20, Problem 10STP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The steps to classify a unicellular organism.

Introduction:

The unicellular organism is the single celled organism, which do not show any tissue level organization. The unicellular organisms have a single cell that act as an organism and perform all the activities of a living thing.

Explanation of Solution

The unicellular organism can be of two types, prokaryotic and eukaryotic. The prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and the eukaryotic cells have a defined nucleus and membrane bound organelle. The prokaryotic organism is either bacteria or archaea. The eukaryotic organism is protozoa, algae and fungi.

Based on the nucleus, the prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells can be divided. The bacteria have peptidoglycan cell wall and the archaea do not have peptidoglycan cell wall. In eukaryotes, the algae have chlorophyll, that is why they are green. Protozoa generally contain a whip like structure, that is flagella, cilia or pseudopods for movement, they do not have cell walls. Fungi have thick cell walls.