Lesson 10

THE CONNECTIONS AND

INTERACTIONS AMONG
LIVING THINGS
Objectives
◦ At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe how unifying themes
(e.g., structure and function, evolution, and ecosystems) show the connections
among living things and how they interact with each other and with their
environment.
 Ecology
◦ Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of living organisms and their
relationships with each other and their environment
The diagram depicts that
everything is connected and
interrelated with one another.
They are different from each
other, but they co-exist with
one another in one
community. The unifying
themes of life give us an idea
of how each of these themes
contributes to the connection
and interaction of living
organisms and their
environment.
Biological Systems

A system consists of related

parts that interact with each
other to form a whole. It
has different parts, but each
plays a significant role for
the whole to function as
one. Without the help from
each other, it cannot fully
perform its function.
Levels of Organization

◦ The cells are considered as the basic

unit of life. All living organisms are
made up of cells. When cells come
together, they form the tissues. A
group of tissues that perform the same
functions form the organs. A group of
organs that works together form the
different organ systems. An organism
consists of many organ systems but
functions as one individual.
Forms and Functions

◦ The function of an organism or a part

of an organism greatly depends on its
form and structure. It is related to how
it works. An example of this is the
webbed foot of a duck which helps the
duck swim and search for their food
under water. Others birds have
different structures of feet used for
perching and grasping food.
Reproduction and Inheritance
Reproduction ensures the survival of species.
All living organisms reproduce either
through asexual or sexual reproduction. In
asexual reproduction, the offspring inherits
the genes from a single parent. However in
sexual reproduction, the offspring inherit the
genes from two individual parents. Some
examples of animals that undergo asexual
reproduction include earthworms, hydra,
planaria, and bacteria.
◦ Animals that undergo sexual reproduction include some reptiles, fishes,
insects, and mammals.
 Energy and Life
◦ Living organisms obtain energy
from the food they eat. Plants
undergo photosynthesis where
they convert the energy from
the sun into sugar. Since most
of the animals cannot produce
their own energy, they get the
energy from the consumption
and assimilation of the biomass
of plants and other animals.
Thermal Regulation
◦ The ability of an organism to regulate their internal conditions is called
homeostasis.

Humans have to maintain a body temperature of 37 C. When

the temperature outside our bodies becomes hot, the skin cools
down by perspiration, maintaining the normal body
temperature.
Adaptation and Evolution

In a world that is continuously changing, life itself evolves.

Evolution is the change in the physical and heritable traits of
organisms over successive generations. Organisms change over
time to acclimate to their environment in order to survive. If they
fail to adapt to the changes, they usually become extinct. The Baiji
white dolphin, for example, became extinct due to diminished food
supply and in addition to that, the pollution caused by human
activities.
◦ One contemporary example of adaptation is the Aedes aegypti or the mosquito
famous for carrying dengue that caused major outbreaks nationwide.

Their eggs were able to survive with scarce or no rainwater which is essential
to their life cycle.
 Key Points
◦ Ecology is the study of living organisms and their relationships with each other and their
environment.
◦ An organism’s structure is related to how it works.
◦ An organism consists of many organ systems but functions as one individual.
◦ The function of an organism or a part of it depends on its form and structure.
◦ Reproduction ensures the survival of species.
◦ Living things obtain energy from the food they eat.
◦ The ability of an organism to regulate their internal conditions is called homeostasis.
◦ Organisms undergo adaptation or evolution in order to survive.