Unicellular



 A unicellular organism, also known as a single-celled organism, is an organism that consists of only one cell, unlike a multicellular organism that consists of multiple cells. Historically the simple single celled organisms have sometimes been referred to as monads. The main groups of unicellular organisms are bacteria, archaea, protozoa, unicellular algae and unicellular fungi. Unicellular organisms fall into two general categories: prokaryotic organisms and eukaryotic organisms. Unicellular organisms are believed to be the oldest form of life, possibly existing 3.8 billion years ago.

Prokaryotes, most Protista, and some fungi, are unicellular. Although some of these organisms live in colonies, they are still unicellular. These organisms live together, and each cell in the colony is the same. However, each individual cell must carry out all life processes to survive. In contrast, even the simplest multicellular organisms have cells that depend on each other to survive.

 Most unicellular organisms are of microscopic size and are thus classified as microorganisms. However, some unicellular protists and bacteria are macroscopic and visible to the naked eye. Terran examples include:


 * Xenophyophores, protozoans of the phylum Foraminifera, are the largest examples known, with Syringammina fragilissima achieving a diameter of up to 20 cm
 *  Nummulite , foraminiferans
 *  Valonia ventricosa , an alga of the class Chlorophyceae, can reach a diameter of 1 to 4 cm
 *  Acetabularia , algae
 *  Caulerpa , algae
 *  Gromia sphaerica , amoeba
 *  Thiomargarita namibiensis  is the largest bacterium, reaching a diameter of up to 0.75 mm
 *  Epulopiscium fishelsoni , a bacterium