adjective

unicellular

yoo-nih-SEL-yuh-ler/ˌjuːnɪˈseljələr/

Consisting of a single cell.

A unicellular organism carries out all life processes within one cell.

One amoeba shown under a microscope-like close view, a single cell with nucleus and pseudopods, no multicellular structure.

Etymology

uniLatinone; single

+cellulLatinlittle cell

+arLatinrelating to

Cellula, ‘little cell,’ is a diminutive of cella, ‘small room,’ giving the biological term a small-compartment image. Uni- specifies that the organism consists of just one such cell.

In context

MicroBiome0:00

Paramecium is a genus of unicellular ciliates these single celled protists are naturally found in aquatic habitats

Paramecium Characteristic & Structure | Under The Microscope

More examples

Bacteria are unicellular organisms.
Baker's yeast is a unicellular fungus used to make bread.
Some algae are unicellular, while others contain many cells.

Forms

unicellular

Similar words

single-celled: Means the same thing in more everyday language.