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Growth in multicellular organisms
I can describe the role of cell division in the growth of multicellular organisms.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 10
- Edexcel
Growth in multicellular organisms
I can describe the role of cell division in the growth of multicellular organisms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Growth is part of the life cycle of all living organisms.
- Multicellular organisms grow by making new cells.
- Multicellular organisms need to repair tissue through cell division.
- All new cells are made when existing cells copy their genetic material and then divide in two.
Keywords
Growth - Multicellular organisms grow by increasing the number of cells they have; this involves cell division.
Unicellular - An organism that consists of only one cell.
Multicellular - An organism made up of many cells.
Cell division - The process by which cells replicate to produce two genetically identical cells.
Common misconception
Multicellular organisms reproduce by cell division like unicellular organisms.
Multicellular organisms use cell division for reproduction. A non-example will be used to show reproduction is not part of reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Students may need reminding about fertilisation of gametes when discussing reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each term to the correct defintion.
Match each term to the correct defintion.
Q2.If in the same organism, order these structures from smallest to largest.
If in the same organism, order these structures from smallest to largest.
Q3.Which sub-cellular structure contains the DNA in animal cells?
Which sub-cellular structure contains the DNA in animal cells?
cytoplasm
ribosomes
mitochondria
Q4.Which of these organisms is multicellular?
Which of these organisms is multicellular?
yeast
amoeba
bacterium
Q5.Which word best describes an organism increasing in size as part of their life cycle?
Which word best describes an organism increasing in size as part of their life cycle?
ageing
magnification
reproduction
Q6.What is the smallest living organism that can exist on its own?
What is the smallest living organism that can exist on its own?
atom
nucleus
organ
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a multicellular organism?
What is a multicellular organism?
an organism made up of only one cell
an organism that has many functions
Q2.Which statements are true for the nucleus?
Which statements are true for the nucleus?
It is where proteins are made.
It controls what enters and exits the cell.
Q3.Which two processes do animal and plants usually use cell division for?
Which two processes do animal and plants usually use cell division for?
reproduction
Q4.Which of these statements are true for cell division in animals?
Which of these statements are true for cell division in animals?
Two cells are produced with half the DNA.
Four cells are produced from the original cell.
Q5.What is the word used to describe organisms increasing in size by adding more cells?
What is the word used to describe organisms increasing in size by adding more cells?
Q6.Which statement is false?
Which statement is false?
Bacteria are unicellular.
Animal cells can contain mitochondria.
Animal cells usually contain a nucleus.
