Multicellular Organisms

Section 2.1-4

Specialized cells

• Cells that perform a specific function– Blood cell carries oxygen

– Nerve cell sends and receives signals

Plants

• Producers – make their own food• Autotrophs – self feeder• Photosynthesis – captures sunlight and

converts to chemical energy• Chemical energy (food) is often stored in

the form of starch

H2O + CO2 C6H12O6 + O2

Animals

• Consumers – need to get energy from other organisms

predator – hunts other animalsprey – hunted by others for food

Animals

• Heterotroph – feeds on or eats other organisms

– Herbivores – feed on plants or algae– Carnivores – feed on other animals– Omnivores – feed on plants and animals

Fungi

• Most are decomposers– Break down complex carbon compounds that are

part of living matter and leave simpler compounds behind

• Most are multicellular (yeast is not)

Fungi

• Do not have tissues or organs• Made of a reproductive body and hyphae– A network of threadlike cells

• The cap of a mushroom produces spores• Can be divided into mushrooms, molds or

yeasts