Question

in all organisms, cells are the most basic units of structure and function. the function of an organism is affected by the way its cells are shaped and organized. many of the functions that an organism needs to carry out to stay alive happen inside its cells. a cell is the smallest unit that can get and use energy, remove wastes, and carry out other processes necessary for life.
the micrographs below show cells from two different organisms: an onion plant, which is multicellular, and a diatom, which is unicellular.
complete the table to describe the organisms shown in the micrographs above.

Explanation:

• For "essential processes happen in a cell": Both the onion plant (multicellular) and diatom (unicellular) have essential processes occur in cells as per the text stating "many of the functions... happen inside its cells".
• For "a cell is its basic unit of structure": The text says "in all organisms, cells are the most basic units of structure", so both apply.
• For "made up of one cell": The diatom is unicellular (one - celled), while the onion plant is multicellular (many - celled), so only the diatom.
• For "made up of many cells": The onion plant is multicellular, so only the onion plant.

Answer:

Characteristic	Onion plant	Diatom
a cell is its basic unit of structure	✓	✓
made up of one cell		✓
made up of many cells	✓