Levels of Biological

Organization
 Objectives

Describe hierarchical level of biological

organization
Define cell organization.
Illustrate levels of cell organization.
 Key Terms

Cell: The smallest organized unit of a living

organism.
Organelle: A structure inside the cell that
helps it survive.
Protoplasm: All the living material found in a
cell capable of carrying on all the life processes.
 Levels of
Biological
Organization
 From the smallest level…

1. ATOMS
The smallest unit of matter that
cannot be broken down into
anything simpler by chemical
means.
2. Molecules
The smallest units of most
compounds formed by the
chemical bonding of atoms.

3. Organelles
4. Cell
Specialized structures that perform
important cellular functions within The smallest unit of life –
cells. collections of living matter
enclosed by a barrier that separates
them from their surroundings.
 From the smallest level…
5. Tissues
Groups of similar cells that
perform a particular function.
7. Organ Systems
Groups of organs that work
together to perform closely related
functions.
6. Organs
Groups of tissues that work
together to perform closely related
functions.
8. Organisms
Living things composed cells
(multicellular organisms).
Species =a group of organisms so
similar to one another that they can
breed and produce FERTILE
OFFSPRING.
 …to the largest level.
10. Community
9.Population
Groups different populations that live
Groups of individuals of the same together in a defined area.
species that live in the same area.

12. Biome

Groups of ecosystems that

11.Ecosystem
have the same climate and
similar dominant
Groups of all the organisms that
communities
live in a particular place, together
with their nonliving environment.

13. Biosphere
Part of the Earth in which life exists including land,
water, air and atmosphere.
How is LIFE characterized within these levels…
What is life defined by?
 Characteristics of Life:

1. Composed of Cells
2. Reproduction
3. Growth & Development
4. Obtain & Use
Energy…METABOLISM
5. Respond to Environment
HOMEOSTASIS
6. DNA is the ‘Universal
Genetic Code
7. Evolution and Adaptation
 Why is Cellular Organization Important?

Living organisms need to do things in

order to survive.
Different parts of the body take care of
chores to keep itself running.
All parts work together in harmony to keep
the animal alive.
 Atom

The most basic unit of matter.

 Essentiallythe building blocks of
everything in the universe.
 Can be neutral, negative, or positively
charged
 A group of atoms is called a molecule
 Molecule

A group of two or more atoms held

together with a neutrally charged covalent
bond.
 May consist of like atoms (O2) or several

different atoms (H2O)

 Too small to be seen with the naked eye
 Cell

Basic structural and functional unit of all living

organisms.
 Smallest classified living thing.
 “The Building Block of Life”
 Can be single celled or multicellular

Two types: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic

 Prokaryotic are usually independent
 Eukaryotic are inside multicellular organisms
 Tissue

A group of cells (not necessarily identical)

that perform the same function.
 Four types of animal tissue: Connective,
Muscle, Nervous, and Epithelial
 Connective Tissue

Fibrous, nonliving material

Gives shape to organs and holds them in
place.
Examples: Blood and Bone
 Muscle Tissue

Most active tissue

 Contractile: has the ability to contract and
expand
 Produces force and movement

Separated into three different categories:

 Visceral/Smooth: inner lining of organs

 Skeletal: Attaches to bones to create movement

 Cardiac: Found in the heart used to pump blood

throughout the body
 Nervous Tissue

Transmits communication throughout the body.

 Two Types:
 Central Nervous System: Forms the brain and
spinal cord
 Peripheral Nervous System: Cranial Nerves and
Spinal Nerves as well as the motor neurons
 Epithelial Tissue

Covers organ surfaces

 Provides barrier between exterior and interior of
organism
 Can specialize in secretion and absorption
 Protection from microorganisms, injury, and
fluid loss
 Organ

A group of tissues joined together to serve a

common function.
 Classified into two types:
 Parenchyma: Main tissue, unique for the
specific organ Ex. Myocardium in the heart
 Sporadic: Stroma, Include nerves, blood, and
connective tissues
 Organ System

Also called a biological system or body system

 Two or more organs working together to perform
a specific task
 Ex. Muscle and Skeletal create Musculoskeletal
System
 Eleven major organ systems in animals:
 Circulatory, Digestive, Endocrine, Excretory,
Immune, Integumentary, Muscular, Muscular,
Nervous, Reproductive, Respiratory, Skeletal
 Organism

A contiguous living system such as an

animal or plant. It is a complex system that
has the ability to reproduce and sustain
life.