Define Benefits and Constraints of Multicellular Organisms
Some of the benefits and constraints of multicellular organisms are as follows:
1) There is a unique co-ordination among the cells of multicellular organisms, like pumping of blood by the heart muscle and the transmission of information (nerve impulse) through the nerve cells. This co-ordination and specialization gives the organism a special edge in survival in the world and also helps us to understand the body's complex system and its wonders.
2) Living cells can multiply and replace the lost cell without losing its own identity. This is a clear-cut benefit over unicellular organisms. Unicellular organisms divide and the initial organism material is separated into two progeny cells.
3) Differentiation bestows tremendous benefits on the multicellular organisms.
These are:
a) Increased survival
b) Increased specialization, and
c) A proper balance between the cell surface and cell volume for receiving an external stimulus, exchange of materials, transport, secretion etc. This is essential in interacting with its external environment and in communicating with the world.