{"id":1061,"date":"2016-12-02T21:25:12","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T21:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1061"},"modified":"2024-04-25T17:52:50","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T17:52:50","slug":"levels-of-organization-of-living-things","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/chapter\/levels-of-organization-of-living-things\/","title":{"raw":"Levels of Organization of Living Things","rendered":"Levels of Organization of Living Things"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Order the levels of organization of living things<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nLiving things are highly organized and structured, following a hierarchy that can be examined on a scale from small to large. The <strong>atom<\/strong> is the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter. It consists of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. Atoms form molecules. A <strong>molecule<\/strong> 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 <strong>macromolecules<\/strong>, large molecules that are typically formed by polymerization (a polymer is a large molecule that is made by combining smaller units called monomers, which are simpler than macromolecules). An example of a macromolecule is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (Figure 1), which contains the instructions for the structure and functioning of all living organisms.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1165\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"181\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1165\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2016\/04\/08172216\/ADN_animation.gif\" alt=\"Molecular model depicts a DNA molecule, showing its double helix structure.\" width=\"181\" height=\"313\" \/> Figure 1. All molecules, including this DNA molecule, are composed of atoms. (credit: \u201cbrian0918\u2033\/Wikimedia Commons)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nSome cells contain aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes; these are called\u00a0<strong>organelles<\/strong>. Organelles are small structures that exist within cells. Examples of organelles include mitochondria and chloroplasts, which carry out indispensable 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 <strong>cell<\/strong> itself is the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms. (This requirement is why viruses are not considered living: they are not made of cells. To make new viruses, they have to invade and hijack the reproductive mechanism of a living cell; only then can they obtain the materials they need to reproduce.) Some organisms consist of a single cell and others are multicellular. Cells are classified as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. <strong>Prokaryotes<\/strong> are single-celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane-bound nuclei or organelles; in contrast, the cells of <strong>eukaryotes<\/strong> do have membrane-bound organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus.\r\n\r\nIn larger organisms, cells combine to make\u00a0<strong>tissues<\/strong>, which are groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions. <strong>Organs<\/strong> are collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function. Organs are present not only in animals but also in plants. An <strong>organ system<\/strong> 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. <strong>Organisms<\/strong> are individual living entities. For example, each tree in a forest is an organism. Single-celled prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes are also considered organisms and are typically referred to as microorganisms.\r\n\r\nAll the individuals of a species living within a specific area are collectively called a\u00a0<strong>population<\/strong>. For example, a forest may include many pine trees. All of these pine trees 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 and also insects and microbial populations. A <strong>community<\/strong> 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. Keep in mind that the community level only consists of living organisms. The forest itself is an ecosystem; this is the first level that contains non-living aspects of a given area that impact the living things in that environment. An <strong>ecosystem<\/strong> consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, non-living parts of that environment such as nitrogen in the soil or rain water. At the highest level of organization (Figure 2), the <strong>biosphere<\/strong> 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.\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\r\nFrom a single organelle to the entire biosphere, living organisms are parts of a highly structured hierarchy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4598\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1023\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4598\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/2016\/04\/14154237\/Figure_01_02_15.jpg\" alt=\"A flow chart shows the hierarchy of living organisms. From smallest to largest, this hierarchy includes: (1) Organelles, such as nuclei, that exist inside cells. (2) Cells, such as a red blood cell. (3) Tissues, such as human skin tissue. (4) Organs such as the stomach make up the human digestive system, an example of an organ system. (5) Organisms, populations, and communities. In a forest, each pine tree is an organism. Together, all the pine trees make up a population. All the plant and animal species in the forest comprise a community. (6) Ecosystems: the coastal ecosystem in the Southeastern United States includes living organisms and the environment in which they live. (7) The biosphere: encompasses all the ecosystems on Earth.\" width=\"1023\" height=\"853\" \/> Figure 2. The biological levels of organization of living things are shown. From a single organelle to the entire biosphere, living organisms are parts of a highly structured hierarchy. (credit \u201corganelles\u201d: modification of work by Umberto Salvagnin; credit \u201ccells\u201d: modification of work by Bruce Wetzel, Harry Schaefer\/ National Cancer Institute; credit \u201ctissues\u201d: modification of work by Kilbad; Fama Clamosa; Mikael H\u00e4ggstr\u00f6m; credit \u201corgans\u201d: modification of work by Mariana Ruiz Villareal; credit \u201corganisms\u201d: modification of work by \"Crystal\"\/Flickr; credit \u201cecosystems\u201d: modification of work by US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters; credit \u201cbiosphere\u201d: modification of work by NASA)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nWhich of the following statements is false?\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\r\n \t<li>Tissues exist within organs, which exist within organ systems.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Communities exist within populations, which exist within ecosystems.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organelles exist within cells, which exist within tissues.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Communities exist within ecosystems, which exist in the biosphere.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"750531\"]<strong>Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"750531\"]Statement b is false: populations exist within communities.[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/97659119-6d77-40d3-b405-6fc0542e35e2\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Order the levels of organization of living things<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Living things are highly organized and structured, following a hierarchy that can be examined on a scale from small to large. The <strong>atom<\/strong> is the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter. It consists of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. Atoms form molecules. A <strong>molecule<\/strong> 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 <strong>macromolecules<\/strong>, large molecules that are typically formed by polymerization (a polymer is a large molecule that is made by combining smaller units called monomers, which are simpler than macromolecules). An example of a macromolecule is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (Figure 1), which contains the instructions for the structure and functioning of all living organisms.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1165\" style=\"width: 191px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1165\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1165\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2016\/04\/08172216\/ADN_animation.gif\" alt=\"Molecular model depicts a DNA molecule, showing its double helix structure.\" width=\"181\" height=\"313\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-1165\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. All molecules, including this DNA molecule, are composed of atoms. (credit: \u201cbrian0918\u2033\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some cells contain aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes; these are called\u00a0<strong>organelles<\/strong>. Organelles are small structures that exist within cells. Examples of organelles include mitochondria and chloroplasts, which carry out indispensable 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 <strong>cell<\/strong> itself is the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms. (This requirement is why viruses are not considered living: they are not made of cells. To make new viruses, they have to invade and hijack the reproductive mechanism of a living cell; only then can they obtain the materials they need to reproduce.) Some organisms consist of a single cell and others are multicellular. Cells are classified as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. <strong>Prokaryotes<\/strong> are single-celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane-bound nuclei or organelles; in contrast, the cells of <strong>eukaryotes<\/strong> do have membrane-bound organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus.<\/p>\n<p>In larger organisms, cells combine to make\u00a0<strong>tissues<\/strong>, which are groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions. <strong>Organs<\/strong> are collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function. Organs are present not only in animals but also in plants. An <strong>organ system<\/strong> 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. <strong>Organisms<\/strong> are individual living entities. For example, each tree in a forest is an organism. Single-celled prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes are also considered organisms and are typically referred to as microorganisms.<\/p>\n<p>All the individuals of a species living within a specific area are collectively called a\u00a0<strong>population<\/strong>. For example, a forest may include many pine trees. All of these pine trees 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 and also insects and microbial populations. A <strong>community<\/strong> 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&#8217;s community. Keep in mind that the community level only consists of living organisms. The forest itself is an ecosystem; this is the first level that contains non-living aspects of a given area that impact the living things in that environment. An <strong>ecosystem<\/strong> consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, non-living parts of that environment such as nitrogen in the soil or rain water. At the highest level of organization (Figure 2), the <strong>biosphere<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\n<p>From a single organelle to the entire biosphere, living organisms are parts of a highly structured hierarchy.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4598\" style=\"width: 1033px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4598\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4598\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/2016\/04\/14154237\/Figure_01_02_15.jpg\" alt=\"A flow chart shows the hierarchy of living organisms. From smallest to largest, this hierarchy includes: (1) Organelles, such as nuclei, that exist inside cells. (2) Cells, such as a red blood cell. (3) Tissues, such as human skin tissue. (4) Organs such as the stomach make up the human digestive system, an example of an organ system. (5) Organisms, populations, and communities. In a forest, each pine tree is an organism. Together, all the pine trees make up a population. All the plant and animal species in the forest comprise a community. (6) Ecosystems: the coastal ecosystem in the Southeastern United States includes living organisms and the environment in which they live. (7) The biosphere: encompasses all the ecosystems on Earth.\" width=\"1023\" height=\"853\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-4598\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 2. The biological levels of organization of living things are shown. From a single organelle to the entire biosphere, living organisms are parts of a highly structured hierarchy. (credit \u201corganelles\u201d: modification of work by Umberto Salvagnin; credit \u201ccells\u201d: modification of work by Bruce Wetzel, Harry Schaefer\/ National Cancer Institute; credit \u201ctissues\u201d: modification of work by Kilbad; Fama Clamosa; Mikael H\u00e4ggstr\u00f6m; credit \u201corgans\u201d: modification of work by Mariana Ruiz Villareal; credit \u201corganisms\u201d: modification of work by &#8220;Crystal&#8221;\/Flickr; credit \u201cecosystems\u201d: modification of work by US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters; credit \u201cbiosphere\u201d: modification of work by NASA)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Which of the following statements is false?<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Tissues exist within organs, which exist within organ systems.<\/li>\n<li>Communities exist within populations, which exist within ecosystems.<\/li>\n<li>Organelles exist within cells, which exist within tissues.<\/li>\n<li>Communities exist within ecosystems, which exist in the biosphere.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q750531\"><strong>Show Answer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q750531\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">Statement b is false: populations exist within communities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_97659119-6d77-40d3-b405-6fc0542e35e2\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/97659119-6d77-40d3-b405-6fc0542e35e2?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_97659119-6d77-40d3-b405-6fc0542e35e2\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1061\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Biology 2e. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: OpenStax. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@10.8\">http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@10.8<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Access for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/biology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Biology 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0d063874-aefc-4a89-9fd7-8eaca2746a5e","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-1061","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":1054,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1061\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8241,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1061\/revisions\/8241"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/1054"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1061\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1061"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1061"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-biology2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}