A unicellular organism, also known as a single-celled organism, is an organism that consists of only

one cell, unlike amulticellular organism that consists of multiple cells. Historically the simple single celled
organisms have sometimes been referred to as monads.
[1]
The main groups of unicellular organisms
are bacteria, archaea, protozoa, unicellular algae and unicellular fungi. Unicellular organisms fall into two
general categories: prokaryotic organisms and eukaryotic organisms. Unicellular organisms are believed to be
the oldest form of life, possibly existing 3.8 billion years ago.
[2]

Prokaryotes, most Protista, and some fungi, are unicellular. Although some of these organisms live in colonies,
they are still unicellular. These organisms live together, and each cell in the colony is the same. However, each
individual cell must carry out all life processes to survive. In contrast, even the simplest multicellular organisms
have cells that depend on each other to survive.