The
Origin
of
Multicellularity
NISER, April 2017
ABOUT THE PROJECT

The origin of multicellular organisms is one of the most fascinating experiments of evolution. In the beginning there were single cells. Today, many millions of years later, most plants, animals, fungi, and algae are composed of multiple cells that work collaboratively as a single being. Despite the various ways these organisms achieved multicellularity, their conglomeration of cells operate cooperatively to consume energy, survive, and reproduce. But how did multicellularity evolve?