Feature Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms
Number of Only one cell Many cells
Cells
Organization No cell specialization; one cell does all Cells are specialized for different
functions functions
Size Usually microscopic Can be microscopic or large
Life Functions All life processes (respiration, digestion, Life processes are divided among
etc.) occur in the same cell different cells/organs
Examples Amoeba, Paramecium, Bacteria, Euglena Humans, Plants, Fungi, Earthworm
Growth Increases in cell size only Increases in cell number and size
Reproduction Usually by binary fission or asexual Mostly by sexual reproduction
means
Lifespan Generally short Generally longer
Feature Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
Nucleus No true nucleus (nucleoid True nucleus with a nuclear
region) membrane
Membrane-bound Absent Present (e.g., mitochondria,
organelles Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi body)
Cell size Generally small (1–10 µm) Generally larger (10–100 µm)
DNA form Circular DNA (single loop) Linear DNA within chromosomes
Cell division Binary fission Mitosis or meiosis
Ribosomes Small (70S type) Larger (80S type)
Examples Bacteria, Archaea Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists
Complexity Structurally simple Structurally complex
Cell wall Present in most (made of Present in plants and fungi
peptidoglycan in bacteria) (cellulose/chitin), absent in animals
Reproduction Usually asexual Both asexual and sexual reproduction
Energy and carbon utilization:
1. Autotrophs
• Carbon Source: Inorganic carbon (CO₂)
• Definition: Organisms that can synthesize their own organic compounds (like glucose) using
carbon dioxide.
• Energy Source:
o Photoautotrophs: Use sunlight (e.g., plants, algae, cyanobacteria)
o Chemoautotrophs: Use chemical energy from inorganic substances (e.g., nitrifying
bacteria)
• Process: Photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
2. Heterotrophs
• Carbon Source: Organic compounds (like carbohydrates, proteins, fats)
• Definition: Organisms that depend on other organisms (plants, animals, microbes) for both
energy and carbon.
• Energy Source: Organic compounds
• Examples: Animals, fungi, most bacteria and protozoa
• Process: Cellular respiration or fermentation
3. Lithotrophs ("Rock-eaters")
• Energy Source: Inorganic compounds (e.g., H₂, H₂S, Fe²⁺, NH₃)
• Definition: Microorganisms that use inorganic molecules as electron donors for energy.
• Carbon Source:
o Autotrophic lithotrophs use CO₂ (e.g., nitrifying bacteria)
o Heterotrophic lithotrophs use organic carbon
• Found in: Extreme environments like deep sea vents, soil
❖ Hierarchy of Life Forms at the Phenomenological Level it describes the increasing
complexity of life — from the simplest to the most complex biological structures and
systems. This hierarchy reflects how life is organized at various levels, from atoms to the
biosphere.
Hierarchy of Life Forms (Phenomenological Level)
1. Atom
• The smallest unit of matter.
• Examples: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O)
2. Molecule
• Two or more atoms bonded together.
• Examples: Water (H₂O), DNA, proteins, carbohydrates
3. Organelle
• Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.
• Examples: Nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes
4. Cell
• The basic unit of life.
• Can be unicellular or multicellular.
• Examples: Prokaryotic cell (bacteria), Eukaryotic cell (plant and animal cells)
5. Tissue
• A group of similar cells performing a common function.
• Examples: Muscle tissue, nervous tissue
6. Organ
• A structure made of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.
• Examples: Heart, brain, leaf, root
7. Organ System
• Group of organs that work together to perform complex functions.
• Examples: Digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system
8. Organism
• A single, complete living being.
• Can be unicellular or multicellular.
• Examples: Bacteria, humans, plants
9. Population
• A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.
• Example: A herd of deer in a forest
10. Community
• All the populations of different species living and interacting in an area.
• Example: Forest community (trees, birds, insects, fungi, etc.)
11. Ecosystem
• The community of organisms plus the non-living environment (air, water, soil).
• Example: Pond ecosystem, desert ecosystem
12. Biosphere
• The global ecosystem – all living things and their interactions with air, land, and water on
Earth.
