Overview
The evolution of multicellularity marks a significant transition in the history of life on Earth. It began with single-celled organisms that gradually formed cooperative groups, leading to the development of complex structures and functions. This transition allowed for cell specialization, where dif...
Key Terms
Example: Humans and trees are examples of multicellular organisms.
Example: Muscle cells are specialized for contraction.
Example: Stem cells can differentiate into various cell types.
Example: Gene expression determines cell type.
Example: Darwin's theory of natural selection explains evolution.
Example: A forest ecosystem includes trees, animals, and soil.
Related Topics
Cell Biology
Study of cell structure and function, essential for understanding multicellularity.
intermediateGenetics
Explores how genes influence traits and development in multicellular organisms.
intermediateEvolutionary Biology
Focuses on the processes that drive the evolution of life, including multicellularity.
advancedKey Concepts
cell specializationevolutionary advantagesmulticellular organismsgenetic regulation