Explain the Functions of Unicellular Organism

You might wonder what functions a single-celled organism is capable of performing. Surprisingly, a unicellular organism is able to perform a large number of functions such as respiration, absorption of nutrients, exchange of gases with the environment and metabolism. The volume of cell determines the amount of chemical activity of cells per unit of time, whereas, the surface area determines the amount of absorption and the amount of release of waste products by the cells.

To maintain the surface area-to- volume ratio in a balanced state, some cells have acquired additional structures in the form of projections such as microvilli. These increase the absorptive surface area, for example, the cells-in the intestine have microvilli that help to increase the absorptive surface for absorption of essential nutrients for the body.