presentation of biological organization

Levels of Organization

All the way from cells to organisms

Review: Cell Organelles

What organelles are in just the plant?

Well let’s zoom out from the organelles.

What do we get?

Well let’s zoom out from the cell.

A collection of cells in an organism that have similar structure and function.

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Tissue

Epithelial, Connective, Nervous, and Muscle Tissue

(Cell -> Tissue)

Well let’s zoom out from the tissue.

A group of tissues that perform a specific function or group of functions

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Organ

Heart, lung, brain, eyes, stomach, spleen, pancreas, kidney, liver, intestines, skin, urinary bladder, sex organs, and bones

(Cell -> Tissue -> Organ)

Well let’s zoom out from the organs.

Organ Systems!

Organ Systems

A group of organs that work together to carry out a particular task.

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Organ_system

Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, Respiratory, Nervous, and Circulatory

(Cell -> Tissue -> Organ -> Organ System)

Well let’s zoom out from the organ systems.

An individual living thing that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis. It can be a bacterium, protist, fungi, plant, or animal.

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Organism

Fungus - Cordyceps - Zombie!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8

Let’s Review!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRFykdf4kDc

Tissue ->

Organ ->

Organ System ->

http://www.healthcentral.com/common/images/8/8710_7138_5.jpg

http://www.medfriendly.com/images/cell.jpg

http://fmsscience7.edublogs.org/files/2013/01/systems-27mzigb.jpg

-Organ Systems

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/basidio/mushroomsismall.jpg

http://altered-states.net/barry/newsletter406/GeneralBacteria.jpg

http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/121027887.png

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/animals/animalid/images/class7.gif

http://a.dolimg.com/en-US/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Fate_WALL-E.jpg

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10 Levels of Biological Organization

Levels of Biological Organization: Take a look around you. Life is found almost everywhere on Earth. The vast diversity of organisms present is indeed fascinating. Different species of plants , various types of animals , and all sorts of organisms comprise our planet. But did you ever wonder how each life form is in any way interconnected?

The Earth is assumed to be about 4.5 billion years old. Various species of organisms have already emerged and disappeared for that long. However, it is quite ironic how to maintain equilibrium (balance), living organisms are classified in a hierarchical and orderly manner according to their level of complexity.

In each successive level of organization, the complexity of life increases, and a distinguishable property can be observed. To further understand the complexity of life, listed below are the ten levels of biological organization in living organisms listed based on the hierarchy starting with the fundamental element, cell .

Levels of Biological Organization

Our planet comprises various living things ranging from a simple cell to a massive sphere of life forms. While each organism tends to vary in size and function, no one lives alone and can live alone. Each organism somehow depends on or affects the lives of other living organisms and non-living factors in the environment. Any change in a part of one system can drastically increase or decrease the chances of survival of an organism.

Absolutely, such hierarchy in the biological organization is sufficient to show life’s complexity. Doesn’t that make you appreciate life more?

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1.2 Levels of Biological Organization

Organization from atoms to cells.

Living things are highly organized and structured, following a hierarchy that we can examine on a scale from small to large. The  atom is the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter. It consists of an atomic nucleus surrounded by electrons. Atoms form molecules . A molecule  is a chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds. Many molecules that are biologically important are  macromolecules , large molecules that are typically formed by combining smaller units called monomers . An example of a macromolecule is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which contains the instructions for the structure and functioning of all living organisms.

Some cells contain organelles , which are small structures that exist within cells. Examples of organelles include mitochondria and chloroplasts, which carry out essential functions: mitochondria produce energy to power the cell, while chloroplasts enable green plants to utilize the energy in sunlight to make sugars.

All living things are made of cells. The cell itself is the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms. Some organisms consist of a single cell and others are multicellular. Scientists classify cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic.  Prokaryotes  are single-celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane-bound nuclei. In contrast, the cells of  eukaryotes  do have membrane-bound organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus.

Organization from Cells to Organisms

In larger organisms, cells combine to make  tissues , which are groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions.  Organs  are collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function. Organs are present not only in animals but also in plants. An  organ system  is a higher level of organization that consists of functionally related organs. Mammals have many organ systems. For instance, the circulatory system transports blood through the body and to and from the lungs. It includes organs such as the heart and blood vessels.  Organisms  are individual living entities. For example, each tree in a forest is an organism. Single-celled prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes are also organisms, which biologists typically call microorganisms.

Organization from Organisms to the Biosphere

Biologists collectively call all the individuals of a species living within a specific area a  population . For example, a forest may include many pine trees, which represent the population of pine trees in this forest. Different populations may live in the same specific area. For example, the forest with the pine trees includes populations of flowering plants, insects, and microbial populations. A  community  is the sum of populations inhabiting a particular area. For instance, all of the trees, flowers, insects, and other populations in a forest form the forest’s community. The forest itself is an ecosystem . An  ecosystem consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment such as nitrogen in the soil or rain water. At the highest level of organization, the biosphere  is the collection of all ecosystems, and it represents the zones of life on Earth. It includes land, water, and even the atmosphere to a certain extent.

fundamental unit of matter

chemical structure consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

a subunit that can be bound to other monomers to make a polymer

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

organisms which are comprised of cells that lack a nucleus

organisms that are comprised of cells that have a nucleus

group of similar cells carrying out related functions

collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

individual living being

all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area

all of the populations inhabiting a particular area

all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment

collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

College Biology I Copyright © by Melissa Hardy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Levels of Organization in Biology

Biology, the study of life and living organisms, is a vast and complex field that covers a multitude of structures, systems, and processes. One fundamental aspect of biology is understanding how life organizes from the simplest to the most complex forms. This concept of hierarchical organization helps us comprehend the vast diversity of life, how different biological structures interact, and how they function both individually and collectively.

Why Understanding Organization is Important

Understanding the levels of biological organization assists in making sense of the complexity of life forms, their interactions, and their environments. It provides a framework for biologists to classify and study organisms. Also, it helps in understanding how different components of an ecosystem work together. This knowledge is essential for fields like medicine, environmental science, and genetics.

From the simplest to the most complex, the levels of organization in biology are: atoms, molecules, macromolecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and the biosphere. Eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi) display all of these levels, while prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) don’t have tissues, organs, or organ systems.

1. Atomic Level

• Examples: Atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
• This is the most basic level, involving the smallest units of matter that make up the chemical composition of living organisms.

2. Molecular Level

• Examples: Water (H 2 O), oxygen (O 2 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
• Atoms join via chemical bonds and form molecules.

3. Macromolecular Level

• Examples: Proteins, DNA, RNA, cellulose
• Molecular subunits connect via covalent bonds (polymerize) and form large, complex organic molecules called macromolecules .

4. Cellular Level

• Examples: Cells (e.g., red blood cells, muscle cells, neurons)
• Cells are the basic units of life. Some exist independently in unicellular organisms, while others are part of a larger multicellular organism.
• Prokaryotes : Prokaryotic cells are unicellular organisms with simpler cell structures. They lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Examples include bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotes : There are both unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Their cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), and the endoplasmic reticulum. Examples include cells of animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

5. Tissue Level

• Examples: Epithelial tissue, muscle tissue
• Tissues are groups of similar eukaryotic cells that work together to perform a specific function.
• Prokaryotes : This level is not applicable as prokaryotes are usually unicellular.

6. Organ Level

• Examples: Heart, liver
• Organs are structures that consist of two or more types of tissues that work together to perform specific, complex functions.
• Prokaryotes : This level is not applicable.

7. Organ System Level

• Examples: Circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system
• An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body.

8. Organism Level

• Examples: Humans, bacteria, plants
• An organism is an individual living entity that functions on its own.
• Prokaryotes : Single-celled organisms where the single cell constitutes the entire organism.
• Eukaryotes : Unicellular (like some algae and protists) or multicellular (like humans, animals, and plants).

9. Population Level

• Examples: A herd of elephants, a colony of ants, pride of lions
• A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific geographical area and capable of interbreeding.
• Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes : Both types of organisms exist at these levels. Populations of prokaryotes or eukaryotes interact within communities, contribute to ecosystem functions, and are part of the biosphere.

10. Community Level

• Examples: Coral reef, rainforest
• A community is the collection of all the different populations that live together in an area.

11. Ecosystem Level

• Examples: Sahara Desert, Amazon Rainforest
• Ecosystems include all the living things in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments. In other words, an ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic factors .

12. Biosphere Level

• Examples: Earth
• The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Levels of Organization Glossary

Here’s a glossary of key terms related to the levels of organization in biology:

• Atom : The smallest unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
• Molecule : A group of atoms bonded together.
• Macromolecule : A large molecule that forms from polymerization of smaller subunits.
• Cell : The basic unit of life; a small, self-contained unit enclosed by a membrane, capable of performing life-sustaining functions.
• Tissue : A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function in an organism.
• Organ : A part of an organism, typically self-contained and with a specific vital function, composed of different types of tissues.
• Organ System : A group of organs that work together to perform complex bodily functions.
• Organism : An individual living entity that can reproduce, grow, respond to stimuli, and maintain homeostasis.
• Population : A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area, capable of interbreeding.
• Community : Different populations of various species living together and interacting in a defined area.
• Ecosystem : A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• Biosphere : The global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all living beings and their environment.
• Prokaryote : A microscopic single-celled organism without a nucleus, such as bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryote : An organism consisting of cells that have genetic material within a distinct nucleus. Includes plants, animals, algae, fungi, protists.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) : A molecule that carries genetic instructions for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms and many viruses.
• RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) : A nucleic acid present in all living cells that acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins.

Critical Thinking Questions

Critical thinking questions are a great way to deepen understanding and encourage exploration beyond the basic concepts. Here are some thought-provoking questions related to the levels of organization in biology:

• Consider the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in this context.
• Think about genetic mutations or cellular damage and their potential impact.
• Reflect on the relationship between environmental factors and evolutionary adaptations.
• Examples could include overpopulation, extinction of a species, or introduction of an invasive species.
• For instance, consider the effects of a disease that affects a particular organ system.
• Discuss the significance of molecular biology or cellular biology in understanding complex biological systems.
• Explore the concept of ecological balance and its importance.
• Think about the implications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• This could include topics like climate change, pollution, or deforestation.
• Consider specific examples such as disease treatment, habitat restoration, or wildlife conservation.
• Evans, F. C. (1956). “Ecosystem as basic unit in ecology”. Science . 123 (3208): 1127–8. doi: 10.1126/science.123.3208.1127
• Jordan, F.; Jørgensen, S. E. (2012). Models of the Ecological Hierarchy: From Molecules to the Ecosphere . ISBN 9780444593962.
• Solomon, Eldra P.; Berg, Linda R.; Martin, Diana W. (2002). Biology (6th ed.). Brooks/Cole. ISBN 0-534-39175-3.
• Wicken, J. S.; Ulanowicz, R. E. (1988). “On quantifying hierarchical connections in ecology”. Journal of Social and Biological Systems . 11 (3): 369–377. doi: 10.1016/0140-1750(88)90066-8

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1.7: Organization of Living Things

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Organization of Living Things. What does this mean?

We know it all starts with the cell. And for some species it ends with the cell. But for others, the cells come together to form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ systems, and organ systems combine to form an organism.

Levels of Organization

The living world can be organized into different levels. For example, many individual organisms can be organized into the following levels:

• Cell : Basic unit of structure and function of all living things.
• Tissue : Group of cells of the same kind.
• Organ : Structure composed of one or more types of tissues. The tissues of an organ work together to perfume a specific function. Human organs include the brain, stomach, kidney, and liver. Plant organs include roots, stems, and leaves.
• Organ system : Group of organs that work together to perform a certain function. Examples of organ systems in a human include the skeletal, nervous, and reproductive systems.
• Organism : Individual living thing that may be made up of one or more organ systems.

Examples of these levels of organization are shown in Figure below .

An individual mouse is made up of several organ systems. The system shown here is the digestive system, which breaks down food into a form that cells can use. One of the organs of the digestive system is the stomach. The stomach, in turn, consists of different types of tissues. Each type of tissue is made up of cells of the same type.

There are also levels of organization above the individual organism. These levels are illustrated in Figure below .

• Organisms of the same species that live in the same area make up a population . For example, all of the goldfish living in the same area make up a goldfish population.
• All of the populations that live in the same area make up a community . The community that includes the goldfish population also includes the populations of other fish , coral, and other organisms.
• An ecosystem consists of all the living things ( biotic factors ) in a given area, together with the nonliving environment ( abiotic factors ). The nonliving environment includes water , sunlight, soil, and other physical factors.
• A group of similar ecosystems with the same general type of physical environment is called a biome .
• The biosphere is the part of Earth where all life exists, including all the land, water , and air where living things can be found. The biosphere consists of many different biomes .

This picture shows the levels of organization in nature, from the individual organism to the biosphere.

Diversity of Life

Life on Earth is very diverse. The diversity of living things is called biodiversity . A measure of Earth’s biodiversity is the number of different species of organisms that live on Earth. At least 10 million different species live on Earth today. They are commonly grouped into six different kingdoms. Examples of organisms within each kingdom are shown in Figure below .

Diversity of life from Archaebacteria to Plants and Animals.

• Many individual organisms can be organized into the following levels: cells, tissues, organs, and organs systems.
• An ecosystem consists of all the populations in a given area, together with the nonliving environment.
• The biosphere is the part of Earth where all life exists.
• The diversity of living things is called biodiversity.

Making Connections

Explore more.

Use this resource to answer the following questions.

• Levels of Organization at utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12...r/levelorg.htm.
• List the levels of organization, ranging from simplest to most complex.
• What are cells?
• What are tissues? What are the basic tissues in humans?
• What are organ systems?
• How many organ systems are in the human body?
• Organisms can carry out all basic life processes. Explain this sentence.
• Describe the levels of organization of a complex, multicellular organism such as a mouse, starting with the cell.
• Explain how a population differs from a community.
• What is an ecosystem?
• Give three examples of the nonliving environment.
• What is biodiversity?

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Levels of Organization in Biology

• activities for teaching biology

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

Through an interactive whole-class discussion of PowerPoint slides, students learn about the multiple levels of organization in biology, as well as reductionism and emergent properties.

To reinforce these concepts, students answer the questions in a Student Handout and discuss their answers in additional whole class discussions.

The first two attached files have the Teacher Notes, including instructional suggestions for the classroom discussions. The PowerPoint is available in the third attached file and as Google slides . The Student Handout is available in the last two attached files and as a Google doc  designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. The Teacher Notes explain how this learning activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Problems opening ppt slide show

For some reason I have not been able to open the ppt slide show for Levels of Biology. It appears to be loading for long periods of time without loading.

PowerPoint slideshow

I am able to open the PowerPoint from the link provided. Your problem may be a temporary issue with your network. If you try again and still are unable to open the ppt using the link, are you able to right-click the link and save the ppt file to your computer? And then open the ppt file from there? I hope that will solve your problem, Ingrid

Organization of Life

First, let me thank you for organization such a wide variety of activities!! I always like checking in with your site at the beginning of each school year to see what I want to rotate in or out. This is most definitely an invaluable resource!!

Second, I'd like to apologize for bugging you. I need a little bit of guidance on what answer you're looking for to the below problem.

"Fill in the blanks on the right to give examples for a population of frogs living in a pond."

The way I'm reading, is that you want students to give examples of OTHER populations found within the frog's community. But when reading it "give examples for a population of frogs"... what else is in a population other than the frog species?

Thank you for your assistance in this matter and have a wonderful day!

Sincerely, Amy

Clarification of question

Thank you for your kind words of appreciation.

For the population blank, the correct answer is the population of frogs. For the ecosystem and community levels and for the organism and smaller levels, students should provide appropriate answers. I hope that clarifies the intention of the question sufficiently, but if not, please email me at [email protected] . 

2020 revision

The Teacher Notes have been substantially revised, with expanded instructional suggestions and biology background information. The questions in the Student Handout have been clarified and focused on the key points. The PowerPoint presentation has been streamlined and clarified. Ingrid

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Download minds-on activities for teaching biology.

Introduction and Activities Listing

Intro and Biological Molecules

• Characteristics of Life
• Levels of Organization in Biology  (NGSS)
• Introduction to Proteins and DNA  (NGSS)
• Enzymes Help Us Digest Food (NGSS; hands-on)
• A Scientific Investigation – What types of food contain starch and protein? (NGSS; hands-on)
• Coronaviruses – Introduction (NGSS)
• Who Took Jerell’s iPod? -- An Organic Compound Mystery (hands-on)
• Is Yeast Alive? (hands-on)
• Macromolecules Jeopardy

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Structure and Function – Major Concepts and Learning Activities
• Introduction to Cells (NGSS)
• Structure and Function of Cells, Organs and Organ Systems (NGSS)
• Why do some plants grow in odd shapes? (NGSS)
• Introduction to Osmosis (NGSS; hands-on)
• Cell Membrane Structure and Function (NGSS; hands-on)
• Cell Vocabulary Review Game

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

• Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis - Key Concepts and Activities
• How do organisms use energy?  (NGSS)
• Using Models to Understand Cellular Respiration (NGSS)
• Using Models to Understand Photosynthesis  (NGSS)
• Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration and Plant Growth (NGSS; hands-on)
• Food, Energy and Body Weight  (NGSS)
• How do muscles get the energy they need for athletic activity?  (NGSS)
• Alcoholic Fermentation in Yeast – A Bioengineering Design Challenge  (NGSS; hands-on)
• Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration  (NGSS)
• Where does a tree’s mass come from?  (NGSS)
• Photosynthesis Investigation  (NGSS; hands-on)

Cell Division

• Mitosis and the Cell Cycle (NGSS; hands-on)
• Mitosis and the Cell Cycle (NGSS)
• Meiosis and Fertilization – Understanding How Genes Are Inherited (NGSS; hands-on)
• Understanding How Genes are Inherited via Meiosis and Fertilization (NGSS)
• Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis
• What causes melanoma and other types of cancer? (NGSS)
• Mistakes in Meiosis – Down Syndrome or Embryo Death (NGSS)
• Mitosis, Meiosis and Fertilization Vocabulary Review Game
• Genetics Concepts and Activities (NGSS)
• Genetics (NGSS; hands-on)
• Genetics Intro – Family Members (NGSS)
• Genetics Sickle Cell Anemia and Trait (NGSS)
• Genetics Probability – Sex Ratios (NGSS)
• Mistake in copying DNA & Dwarfism (NGSS)
• Soap Opera Genetics (NGSS)
• Were the babies switched? The Genetics of Blood Types (NGSS; hands-on)
• Dragon Genetics I (hands-on)
• Dragon Genetics II (hands-on)
• Learning about Genetic Disorders
• Genetics Vocabulary Review Game
• Genetics Jeopardy

Molecular Biology

• Molecular Biology: Major Concepts and Learning Activities (NGSS)
• DNA (NGSS; hands-on)
• DNA Function, Structure and Replication (NGSS)
• How Genes Can Cause Disease - Introduction to Transcription and Translation (NGSS; hands-on)
• How Genes Can Cause Disease - Understanding Transcription and Translation (NGSS)
• UV, Mutations and DNA Repair (NGSS; hands-on)
• What types of mutations cause more vs. less severe muscular dystrophy? (NGSS)
• Cell Differentiation and Epigenetics (NGSS)
• Genetic Engineering Challenge – Preventing Vitamin A Deficiency (NGSS)
• Gene Editing with CRISPR-Cas – Potential Sickle Cell Anemia Cure (NGSS)
• Molecular Biology Vocabulary Review Game
• Resources for Teaching and Learning about Evolution
• Evolution by Natural Selection (NGSS; hands-on)
• What is natural selection? (NGSS)
• Natural Selection and the Peppered Moth (NGSS)
• How have mutations and natural selection affected fur color in mice?  (NGSS)
• How Whales Evolved (NGSS)
• How Eyes Evolved – Analyzing the Evidence (NGSS)
• How does evolution result in similarities and differences? (NGSS; hands-on)
• What is a species? (NGSS)
• Coronavirus Evolution and the COVID-19 Pandemic (NGSS)
• Evolution and Adaptations (NGSS)
• Ecology Concepts and Learning Activities (NGSS)
• Exponential and Logistic Population Growth Models vs. Complex Reality (NGSS)
• Some Similarities between the Spread of Infectious Disease and Population Growth  (NGSS; hands-on)
• Stability and Change in Biological Communities (NGSS)
• Food Webs, Energy Flow, Carbon Cycle and Trophic Pyramids (NGSS)
• Food Webs (NGSS)
• Carbon Cycles and Energy Flow through Ecosystems (NGSS)
• Trophic Pyramids (NGSS)
• Introduction to Global Warming (NGSS)
• Food and Climate Change – How can we feed a growing world population without increasing global warming? (NGSS)
• Resources for Teaching about Climate Change
• The Ecology of Lyme Disease (NGSS)

Human Physiology and Health

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What Are the Levels of Organization in Biology?

How Are Cells, Tissues & Organs Related?

Biology is the study of life. Since life is such a broad topic, scientists break it down into several different levels of organization to make it easier to study. These levels start from the smallest unit of life and work up to the largest and most broad category.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

The levels, from smallest to largest, are: molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.

Molecules are made of atoms, the smallest unit of chemical elements. They can be found in all matter, living and non-living. Molecules make up the most basic structures of living beings. Two biological disciplines that focus on this level are biochemistry and molecular biology.

A cell is the basic unit of life. There are two kinds of cells : plant cells, which have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose molecules, and animal cells, which have flexible cell membranes. Cell biologists consider questions such as metabolism and other questions about structure and function within and between cells.

Tissue is made of cells that work together to perform a certain task. Muscle tissue, connective tissue, and neural tissue are some types of tissue . Histologists are an example of biologists who work at this level.

An organ is a system of tissues that work together on a larger scale to do certain jobs within an animal's body . Examples of organs are the brain, heart and lungs. Anatomy is an example of a biology specialty concerned with this level.

Organ System

An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform specific bodily functions . The respiratory system, for example, uses the lungs, airways and respiratory muscles to inhale oxygen and release carbon dioxide in animals. Physiologists study the function of parts of the body as they work together. Though physiologists can work at any level of biological organization, they often answer questions related to organ systems.

An organism is a recognizable, self-contained individual. Organisms can be unicellular organisms such as bacteria or amoebae, or multi-cellular organisms comprised of organs and organ systems. A human being is an example of a multi-cellular organism .

A population is a group of multiple organisms of the same species within a specific area. For example, a pride of lions in Kenya, Africa, is a population.

A community consists of all the different species within a certain area. The population of lions in Kenya, plus the populations of gazelles, giraffes, elephants, dung beetles, and all other species in that area, add up to a community.

An ecosystem is made up of all the communities in a certain area, as well as all the non-living, physical components of the environment. Rocks, water and dirt are a part of an ecosystem. Ecologists may study populations, communities, or whole ecosystems.

The biosphere is all of the ecosystems on Earth added together. Every animal, plant, bacteria, rock, and molecule is a part of the Earth's biosphere. Non-biologists, such as meteorologists and geologists, may join biologists to answer questions at this level of biology organization.

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• Scitable Library: Biology Is Studied at Many Levels of Organization

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Nikole Yearout started writing in 2003. She writes for various websites, covering everything from marine biology to online programming and book publishing. Yearout is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from Washington State University.

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The Hierarchy or Levels of Biological Organization

Aug 01, 2014

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The Hierarchy or Levels of Biological Organization. Subatomic (particle). units of matter below the size of an atom. Atom basic unit of matter.

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• organ systems
• pure chemical substance

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Subatomic (particle) • units of matter below the size of an atom

Atombasic unit of matter

Moleculeelectrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds(Compound- pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements) Caffeine

Macromolecule • very large molecule, composed of hundreds or thousands of atoms • DNA or protein, esp. a polymer,

Organelle • Specialized part of a cell having some specific function

Cells Basic unit of life

Tissue a group of cells that perform a similar function

Organs a collection of tissues joined as unit to serve a common function;

Organ Systems is a group of organs that work together to perform a certain task.

Organism A single individual

Population A group of organisms of the same type (species) living in the same area.

Community Populations that live together in a given area.(Human population, House Elf population, Bacteria population) Pretend living thing! Bacteria (That’s too small to see.)

Ecosystem Communities and the nonliving surroundings. (Urban Ecosystem)

Biome A major regional or global biotic community Deciduous Forest of England

Hogwarts is around the other side. Biosphere All of the land, water and air (biomes) where organisms can live.

Earth Planets Solar Systems Galaxies Universe

Realm of Ecology

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