Multicellular and unicellular organisms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the differences between multicellular and unicellular organisms.
Key learning points
- Unicellular organisms are made of a single living cell.
- Multicellular organisms are made of more than one cell (sometimes millions), and different cells take on different jobs.
- In multicellular organisms, cells join together to form tissues with specific jobs.
- An organ is a group of tissues working together to do a specific job, and organs work together in an organ system.
- Unicellular organisms have different structures that have adaptations to help them function and stay alive.
Keywords
Unicellular - A unicellular organism is a living thing that is just one cell.
Multicellular - Multicellular organisms are made of lots of different types of cells.
Tissue - A tissue is a group of similar cells in the same place with the same job.
Organ - An organ is made up of a group of different tissues that work together to carry out a specific job.
Adaptation - An adaptation is a feature that helps an organism to function and survive.
Common misconception
There are only two types of cell: plant and animal.
The lesson explores the cells of unicellular organisms and some of their adaptations.
Teacher tip
The hierarchical organisation of multicellular organism from cell to organ system is a key concept in biology. Showing videos of living unicellular organisms can help pupils to visualise them (otherwise they may remain an abstract concept).
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.All organisms, living or dead, are made up of
Q2.Which of these examples are made up of cells?
Q3.Starting with the smallest put these structures in order of size
Q4.Cells are too small to view with the unaided eye, a is used to magnify them.
Q5.Match these common processes of cells to the correct definition
Q6.Choose two techniques that should not be used in a scientific line drawing of a cell
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An organism made of one cell is called?
Q2.Choose two correct reasons that a unicellular organism is called living
Q3.An organism that is made up of lots of cells joined together is called
Q4.Starting from the smallest put these structures in size order
Q5.Match the keyword to the correct definition
Q6.Choose which one of the tissues that would not appear in a stomach
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Multicellular and unicellular organisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Multicellular and unicellular organisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Cells unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.