A multicellular organism is composed of many cells that are interconnected and independent to different degrees. Cellular specialization and division of labor follow the evolution of multicellular animals. Cells become proficient in one process and depend upon other cells for survival. All animals, plants, algae, and most fungi are multicellular. Multicellular organisms may grow in several ways, such as by cell division or through the collection of several single cells.

Multicellular Organisms Definition

Organisms containing two or more cells are referred to be multicellular organisms. Multicellular organisms include every kind of plant, animal, fungus, red, green, and brown algae.

What are Multicellular Organisms?

An organism with several cells is known as a multicellular organism. Technically, “multicellular” refers to more than one because the word “multi” is used to describe multiples of something. The division of labor and cellular specialization allows the development of organisms with multiple cells. Cells specialize in one task and depend on other cells to do other activities. All cells coordinate to make sure that an organism functions properly. Multicellular organisms can develop in a number of ways, such as by cell division.

Single cells of large size have a lower surface-to-volume ratio and have difficulty collecting enough nutrients and distributing them throughout the cell. Thus, multicellular organisms benefit from an increase in size without its drawbacks in terms of competition. Since they can keep on surviving even when individual cells die, they can live longer. Increased complexity is also made possible by multicellularity since it allows for cell-type differentiation within a single organism.

Also Read: Cell Organelles

Multicellular Organisms Diagram

The diagram of multicellular organism is as follow:

History of Multicellular Organisms

Multicellular organisms initially appeared in evidence as Grypania spiralis, or coil-shaped fossils of blue-green or green algae. It goes back 2 billion years and was discovered in the United States and Asia. Microscopic filaments, which are 2.5 billion years old and were discovered in South Africa, are the real proof that multicellular organisms existed.

By way of the fossilized remains of animals in some locations, large, multicellular species first evolved on Earth one billion years ago. Macroscopic multicellular life was first observed about 600 million years ago, although new multicellular fossils are typically 1.5 centimeters long.

Characteristics of Multicellular Organisms

The multicellular organisms have the following characteristics:

• Multicellular organisms are made up of two or more cells.
• These organisms can be seen with the naked eye.
• They are made up of several organs and organ systems, and each of these carries out a number of tasks.
• As eukaryotes, they have organelles that are attached to membranes.
• An organism’s size grows as its body’s cell count does.
• In the spaces between the cells, the division of labor takes place.

Examples of Multicellular Organisms

Examples of multicellular organisms are given below:

1. The Human: The multiple tissues that make up the circulatory, neurological, bone, and other systems are formed by the various types of cells.
2. Crab: Like other crustaceans, it has cells that have undergone differentiation to become an exoskeleton, which covers and safeguards the animal.
3. Dolphin: A marine mammal that is composed of different kinds of animal eukaryotic cells, much like all other animals.
4. Wheat: It is a family of grass cereals. It is composed of multiple eukaryotic plant cell types.
5. Swallow: Bird with migratory behavior that is a member of the hirundinid family and the passerine order.
6. Lawn: Its stem contains meristematic cells, which lengthen the stem after cutting, just like other monocotyledonous plants.
7. Hen: It is a Phasianidae family bird. It has feathers, just like other birds, which are composed of specialized cells called keratinocytes in the epidermis.
8. Salmon: It is both freshwater and marine fish. Its skin is covered in scales, specialized cells distinct from those found on reptiles.
9. Frog: European and northwest Asian regions are populated to anuran amphibians of the Ranidae family.
10. Green Lizard: It is a species of reptile belonging to the Teiidae family. It is situated in an ecozone that includes the Chacos of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Also Read:

• Difference Between Unicellular And Multicellular Organisms
• What are Living Organisms Made Up of?

FAQs on Multicellular Organisms

1. What are Multicellular Organisms?

Multicellular organisms are made up of several cells, with cell groups developing to perform specific tasks. Early in a person’s development, cells in the body begin to differentiate into different kinds of cells, including blood, skin, muscle, and nerve cells.

2. What was the First Multicellular Organism?

About 3.4 billion years ago, single-celled organisms began to emerge from the primordial soup. Some quickly collected in mats. However, it took another 1.4 billion years for Grypania spiralis, the first true multicellular organism, to come up in the fossil record.

3. Are all Animals Multicellular?

Animals have a huge variety of characteristics that set them apart from species in other kingdoms, although the fact that they all belong to the animal kingdom. The vast majority of animals have specialized tissues, and all animals are eukaryotic, multicellular organisms.

4. Are Humans Multicellular?

Yes, humans are multicellular. Animals, plants, some fungi, and algae are multicellular, in addition to humans. As eukaryotes, multicellular organisms always have cell nuclei.

5. Are Plants Multicellular?

The order Plantae contains organisms of all sizes, from small mosses to large trees. All plants are multicellular and eukaryotic, meaning that each cell has a membrane-bound nucleus that contains the chromosomes.