Levels of Organization

Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere. Identify the levels of organization in the biosphere including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, as well as organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.

Levels of Organization
CellBasic unit of structure and function in organisms.
Some organisms, like bacteria and protists, are unicellular (made entirely of one cell). Some organisms, like fungi, plants, and animals, are multicellular (made of many cells). Bacteria have prokaryotic cells. Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals have eukaryotic cells. In multicellular organisms, cells exhibit cell specialization. They take on specific jobs and look different from each other. The cells also exhibit division of labor. They split up the work of the organism.

Levels of Organization
TissuesGroups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
4 major tissue types in animals
Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Muscle tissue Nervous tissue

Levels of Organization
Organsstructures made of different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.
Examples
Heart Lungs Stomach Small intestine Liver Large Intestine Gall Bladder Plant Roots Plant Stems Plant Leaves

Levels of Organization
Organ SystemsGroups of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
Examples:
Digestive system Circulatory system Respiratory system Nervous system Muscular system Skeletal system Integumentary system (skin) Vascular system in plants

Levels of Organization
OrganismA complete, individual living thing. Examples:
A single person A single plant A single bacterium A single protist

Questions
1) Select the largest level of organization among the following:
a. b. c. d. Organ Organ system Organism Tissue

2) Select the smallest level of organization among the following:

a. b. c. d. Organ Organ system tissue Cells

3) Life is organized in a hierarchical fashion. Which of the following sequences illustrates that hierarchy as it goes upward?
a. b. c. d. Organ system, cell, organ, organism Organism, organ system, organ, cell Cell, organ, organ system, organism Cell, organism, organ system, organ

4) A group of cells that are combined and perform a specific function are called: a. Cells b. Organs c. Tissues d. Population

Short answer
1) What are the differences between cells and organs? 2) How are tissues different from organs? 3) What makes up an organ system? Give an example along with the system parts. 4) What is it called when a group of tissues come together to perform a specific function?

Reminder!
Make sure you understand and can apply the following