What is the one main difference in how unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms maintain homeostasis.
Only unicellular organisms have specialized cells that work to maintain homeostasis
Only multicellular organisms have specialized cells that work to maintain homeostasis
Only unicellular organisms have to balance factors such as water and temperature
Only multicellular organisms have to balance factors such as water and temperature
The correct answer is: Only multicellular organisms have specialized cells that work to maintain homeostasis.
To understand this, let's break it down:
Unicellular organisms are made up of a single cell. These cells are responsible for carrying out all the necessary functions of life, including maintaining a stable internal environment, known as homeostasis. Since unicellular organisms consist of only one cell, that single cell itself has to perform all the functions essential for survival, including regulating factors like water and temperature. This means that unicellular organisms do not have specialized cells solely dedicated to maintaining homeostasis.
On the other hand, multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells that work together to ensure the organism's survival. In multicellular organisms, specialized cells and tissues evolve to perform specific functions. Some of these specialized cells are responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating factors such as water balance, temperature, pH levels, and nutrient levels. These specialized cells, known as homeostatic cells, act in coordination with other cells and organs to ensure the organism's internal environment remains stable and balanced.
Therefore, the main difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms in terms of maintaining homeostasis is that only multicellular organisms have specialized cells that work to maintain homeostasis.