#single-celled

[healthaim]

One Crucial Step In Evolution Resulted In Multi-Cellular Life A genetic event that took place millions of years ago on this earth has been cited as the reason behind the evolution of present day multi-cellular organisms that include humans. It was a single step which was required to shift the jump from single-celled life to multi-cellular living, say... http://www.healthaim.com/one-crucial-step-evolution-resulted-multi-cellular-life/36262

One Crucial Step In Evolution Resulted In Multi-Cellular Life - http://www.healthaim.com/one-crucial-step-evolution-resulted-multi-cellular-life/36262

A genetic event that took place millions of years ago on this earth has been cited as the reason behind the evolution of present day multi-cellular organisms that include humans. It was a single step which was required to shift the jump from single-celled life to multi-cellular living, say...

[libutron]

Coccolithophores

Tiny coccolithophores have had a big impact on the planet over time. Though they are single-celled, these photosynthesizing organisms are enclosed in a mosaic, or cage, of microscopic plates that make many very beautiful to look at. The plates are made of calcium carbonate, which the coccoliths pull from the surrounding water. As these small organisms live and die in their trillions, they bequeath their tiny plates to the ocean floor where they form rocks such as chalk. Over geological time, coccoliths have removed significant amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to keep Earth cool as the sun grew hotter.

Photo and text source: ©BBC Nature

[explosionsoflife]

Pictured is a coccolithophore (a plant with a calcium carbonate shell), a single-celled, spherical plant that is covered in plates/shields (also known as coccoliths). These little guys, which are rarely bigger than 20μm, are thought to contribute to global climate change.