BIO 121 – CHAPTER 2:

HIERARCHY OF BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

DOA PENERANG HATI
Chapter 2: Hierarchy of Biological
Organization
CHAPTER TOPICS
1 Introduction
2 Hierarchy of Biological Organization
3 Scientific Methods
4 Chemical Bonds and Water
5 Biological Molecules
6 Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
7
Plasma Membrane and Transport of
Molecules
 WHAT IS BIOLOGY?
1. Biology - the scientific study of life

2. Biologists ask questions such as:

• How a single cell develops into an organism
• How the human mind works
• How living things interact in communities
 LEVEL OF BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
1. Life can be studied at different levels from molecules to the entire
living planet
• Organization of living organisms can be analysed at different level
of complexity, starting with the smallest level of organization and
progressing to levels that are larger and more complex
• Eg: Extends from the microscope scale of molecules and cells to the
global scale of the entire living planet
2. The study of life can be divided into different levels of biological
organization
• A Hierarchy of Biological Organization
• A system - a combination of components that form a more complex
organization
LEVEL OF BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
 LEVEL OF BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
BIOSPHERE
ECOSYSTEM
COMMUNITY
POPULATION
ORGANISM
ORGAN SYSTEM
ORGANS
TISSUES
CELLS
MOLECULES
ATOM
 LEVEL DEFINITION
Biosphere the part of Earth that contains all ecosystems
Interaction between community and its (non-living)
Ecosystem
physical surrounding
Populations (of different species) that live together in a
Community
defined area
Group of organism of the same species that live in the
Population
same area
Organism
Group of organs working together to perform as a
Organ system
whole
Two or more types of tissue working together to
Organ
perform a particular function
Tissue
Cell Smallest functional unit of life
Molecules Groups of atoms bonded together
Atom Element (smallest unit of an element)
LEVEL OF BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
LEV
EL O
F
ORG BIOLO
ANIZ GICA
ATIO L
N
IN BIOLOGY, CELL = BASIC
UNIT OF LIVING THINGS
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
ATOM >> MOLECULES
• ATOM = Smallest unit
of an element

• MOLECULE =
composed of two or
more different atoms
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
ORGANELLES
• ORGANELLES = Various
functional components that
make up cells
• molecules bond together to
form the building blocks
of cells

• Example of organelles:
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
CELLS
• CELLS = Life’s fundamental unit
of structure and function
• Build through various molecules
and macromolecules associate
with each other.
• Unicellular –composed of one cell

• Multicellular –composed of many

cells performing different jobs
(division of labor)
• Types of cells:
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
TISSUES
• TISSUES = A group of similar cells associated with
each other
• Working together to perform a specific function

• Example:
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
ORGAN & ORGAN SYSTEMS

• ORGAN = A body part consisting of two or more tissues that

perform particular function

• Example:
• ORGAN SYSTEM :
Interconnected system
composed of different
organs
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
ORGANISMS
• ORGANISMS =
Individual living things
• Results from organ system
working together
 Levels of organization in
Cell
multicellular organism

Tissue

Organ

Organ System

Organism
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
POPULATION
• POPULATION = A group of organisms of the same
species that live in the same area.
• Example = Population of sugar maple trees
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
COMMUNITIES
• COMMUNITIES = The assemblage of populations of
different species that interact with each other

• Types of interaction between

species = prey-predators,

• Example:
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
ECOSYSTEM
• ECOSYSTEM = A community of organisms
and its non living surroundings

= Interactions between organisms and their

environment

• Example: Coral Reef

• Example: Rainforest
 LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION –
BIOSPHERE
• BIOSPHERE = Global sum
of ALL ecosystems
 THEME IN BIOLOGY :
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION ARE CORRELATED
AT ALL LEVELS
OF BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

• Structure and function of living organisms are closely

related

• For example, a leaf is thin and flat, maximizing the

capture of light by chloroplasts
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• DEFINITION + COMPONENTS OF:
• BIOLOGICAL HIERARCHY
• ECOLOGICAL HIERARCHY

• STRUCTURE – FUNCTION RELATIONSHIP

 REFERENCES:
❖ Campbell (10th edition) – Chapter 1 Biology and Its
Themes
THANK YOU

Niagara Falls, Ontario, CANADA