Levels of Organization

• Levels of Organization


  • Chemical Level
  • Biological Level
  • Ecological Level
• Atom


  Smallest and most fundamental unit of matter, building blocks of matter, subatomic particle
• Molecule


  Combination of two or more atoms, chemically bonded together (Ionic or Covalent), chemical building blocks of all body structures
• Macromolecule


  More complex (large) molecule, very big molecule that consist of 10,000 or more atoms, includes Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
• Organelle


  Specialized structures within a cell that perform a specific function, parts of the cell
• Cell


  Smallest functioning unit of a living organism, basic unit of life, Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic, Unicellular or Multicellular, Somatic or Gametes, Animal Cell and Plant Cell
• Tissue


  Group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function, animal tissues: connective, nervous, muscle, and epithelial tissues, plant tissue systems: epidermis, ground tissue, and vascular tissue
• Organ


  Anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types, groups of tissue that work together for specific purpose, performs one or more specific physiological functions
• Organ System


  Group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body
• Organism


  Highest level of biological organization, living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life
• Population


  Group of similar organisms that live in the same area, a species is a group of individuals that are genetically related and can breed to produce fertile young
• Community

  Different populations that make up the same area and interact with one another, composed of all of the biotic factors of an area
• Ecosystem


  All living and nonliving components of an area, a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life
• Biomes


  A large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate, five major types are aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra, specific categories include freshwater, marine, savanna, tropical rainforest, temperate rainforest, and taiga
• Biosphere


  Part of the planet with living organisms, made up of the parts of Earth where life exists—all ecosystems
• Characteristics of Life


  • Excretion
  • Movement
  • Respiration
  • Growth
  • Nutrition
  • Reproduction
  • Sensitivity
• Excretion


  Process through which organism get rid of waste from chemical processes
• Movement


  The ability to relocate or bend/sway
• Respiration


  The breakdown of glucose to release energy
• Growth


  A permanent increase in size through growth of cells
• Nutrition


  The ability to acquire and process food
• Reproduction


  The ability to make more of your kind
• Sensitivity


  The ability to respond to stimuli