LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION OF LIVING BEINGS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The levels of organization of living beings correspond to a classification of the structure of living beings. This criterion is used for the study and analysis of the structure and functioning of life in its different manifestations.

This system of organization is common to all living beings that inhabit the earth. Therefore, its study is essential to understand how life works and how it should be protected.

The levels of structure of living beings are organized from the simplest to the most complex. At the first level are the atoms that are the most elementary units and that when grouped together make up larger and more complex units, until they compose the biosphere.

In this order, thirteen levels of organization are considered: atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes and the biosphere.

Levels of organization of living beings

Atoms

The atom is the basic unit that makes up all matter. This includes living things and also inorganic matter.

Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. These elements do not compose in themselves a complete unit of matter, therefore the atom is considered to be the smallest unit.

Molecules

Molecules are formed from the formation of bonds between two or more atoms and these constitute one of the most important and stable components of matter.

Organic molecules are formed mainly by bonds between carbon atoms with other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, among others.

These chemical compounds make up the cells and through them the entire human body.

Organelles

Organelles are small structures that exist inside cells to fulfill necessary functions for their functioning.

For example, mitochondria and chloroplasts are parts of the cell that play essential roles in the development of life.

Mitochondria produce the energy that fuels cells, and chloroplasts allow plants to photosynthesize.

Cells

Cells are the smallest units within the structure and functioning of living things. These are classified as prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Prokaryotic cells lack a cell nucleus and, for the most part, constitute a complete unicellular organism.

On the other hand, eukaryotic cells do have a cell nucleus where they house their genetic information. These types of cells are more complex and are grouped with other cells of the same type to form whole tissues, organs and organisms.

For example, the human body is made up of groups of cells of different types grouped together. Like the cells of the skin, nerves and bones.

Fabrics

In multicellular organisms, cells that are similar in structure and function group together to form tissues.

In this way they are organized to fulfill a specific function or to complement other tissues within the same organism.

The human body has 4 basic tissues: the connective, the epithelial, the muscle and the nerve. However, there is a great diversity of tissues in nature, whether in plants or other animals.

Organs

In turn, tissues are organized into organs that fulfill a specific function within each organism.

All living beings, plants and animals, have organs of lesser or greater complexity that are in charge of carrying out specific activities for the functioning of the organism.

For example, the human being has organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, etc. Each of these organs has individual functions but related to other organs.

Systems

The different organs are connected and related to each other, forming organ systems to complete certain functions.

For example, in human beings the process of digestion occurs thanks to the relationship between different organs such as the stomach and intestines. The system that takes care of this function is known as the digestive system.

In general, mammals bring together different organ systems for the development of all their vital functions. For example, the human being has eleven: the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, immune, integumentary, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory and skeletal systems.

Organisms

This set of organs makes up organisms, which are individual living entities of a species. For example, every plant, every tree and every human being are organisms.

Unicellular beings lack organs, however they are also considered complete organisms because they function independently.

Population

A group of several individual organisms of a species that live within a specific area is known as a population.

For example, the pines in a forest constitute a population, as do human beings who occupy a certain geographical space.

Community

Two or more populations that occupy the same geographic space constitute a community. Communities are characterized by the relationships that develop between populations of different species.

There are various forms of relationship between the populations of different species, such as competition, parasitism, predation, commensalism and mutualism.

On many occasions, the survival of a population within a territory is due to these relationships that it establishes with other species.

Ecosystem

Ecosystems refer to all living things that are related within a particular area along with the non-living parts of that environment.

For example, in the forest, living individuals such as trees and animals are related to the soil and the rain, which do not have life but are essential for their survival.

Biome

Biomes are biological entities that bring together various ecosystems. This level of organization is defined based on the conditions required for the survival of a certain group of communities.

For example, the Amazon rainforest is a biome that brings together several different ecosystems within a given geographical area.

This is possible thanks to particular geological and atmospheric conditions, which allow it to develop.

Biosphere

Finally, at the highest level of organization, is the biosphere. This refers to the collection of all ecosystems and represents all areas of the earth where there is life.

It includes the continental zone, the oceans, and even some areas of the atmosphere that are also home to life.

References

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2. Boundless. (SF). Levels of Organization of Living Things. Recovered from: boundless.com
3. E School Today. (SF). Levels of organization in an ecosystem. Recovered from: eschooltoday.com
4. Utah Science. (SF). Levels of Organization. Recovered from: utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us.