A unicellular organism must carry out all of the essential functions of life within a single cell. These functions include:
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Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions in the cell that enable it to convert nutrients into energy and building blocks for growth and maintenance.
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Respiration: The process of converting biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and releasing waste products.
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Reproduction: The ability to reproduce, either asexually (e.g., binary fission) or sexually, to ensure the continuation of the species.
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Response to Stimuli: The capacity to respond to environmental changes or stimuli, which can involve movement, secretion of substances, or other activities.
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Growth: The ability to grow and develop, which often involves increasing in size and synthesizing new cellular components.
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Homeostasis: The regulation of internal conditions (such as pH, temperature, and ion concentrations) to maintain a stable internal environment.
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Excretion: The removal of waste products from metabolic processes to maintain cellular health.
In summary, a unicellular organism must carry out all life processes to survive, grow, and reproduce.
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