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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the role of cell division in the growth of multicellular organisms.

      Key learning points

      1. Growth is part of the life cycle of all living organisms.
      2. Multicellular organisms grow by making new cells.
      3. Multicellular organisms need to repair tissue through cell division.
      4. 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.

      Teacher tip

      Students may need reminding about fertilisation of gametes when discussing reproduction in multicellular organisms.

      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.

      Correct Answer:unicellular,an organism made up of only one cell

      an organism made up of only one cell

      Correct Answer:multicellular,an organism made up of many cells

      an organism made up of many cells

      Correct Answer:cell division,the process used to replicate cells

      the process used to replicate cells

      Q2.
      If in the same organism, order these structures from smallest to largest.

      1 - cell
      2 - tissue
      3 - organ
      4 - organ system
      5 - organism

      Q3.
      Which sub-cellular structure contains the DNA in animal cells?

      cytoplasm
      Correct answer: nucleus
      ribosomes
      mitochondria

      Q4.
      Which of these organisms is multicellular?

      yeast
      amoeba
      Correct answer: spider
      bacterium

      Q5.
      Which word best describes an organism increasing in size as part of their life cycle?

      ageing
      magnification
      Correct answer: growth
      reproduction

      Q6.
      What is the smallest living organism that can exist on its own?

      atom
      nucleus
      Correct answer: cell
      organ

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a multicellular organism?

      an organism made up of only one cell
      Correct answer: an organism made up of many cells
      an organism that has many functions

      Q2.
      Which statements are true for the nucleus?

      It is where proteins are made.
      Correct answer: It contains the genetic material (DNA).
      It controls what enters and exits the cell.
      Correct answer: It controls the activities of the cell.

      Q3.
      Which two processes do animal and plants usually use cell division for?

      reproduction
      Correct answer: growth
      Correct answer: repair

      Q4.
      Which of these statements are true for cell division in animals?

      Correct answer: Genetic material is replicated.
      Two cells are produced with half the DNA.
      Correct answer: Two genetically identical cells are produced.
      Four cells are produced from the original cell.

      Q5.
      What is the word used to describe organisms increasing in size by adding more cells?

      Correct Answer: growth, growing, grow

      Q6.
      Which statement is false?

      Bacteria are unicellular.
      Correct answer: Bacteria use cell division for growth and repair.
      Animal cells can contain mitochondria.
      Animal cells usually contain a nucleus.

      To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Growth in multicellular organisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...