General Biology

10 Levels of Biological Organization

Last Updated: Jul 9, 2023

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?

Levels of Biological Organization (Infographics)

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

#1. Cell

The cell is known to be the basic building block of life. It performs various metabolic functions like providing structure and rigidity to the body and converting food into nutrients and energy. While it is not the smallest particle (organelles, molecules, and atoms are even smaller), the cell is called such because it is the smallest living entity that can function independently. At a cellular level, organisms can be classified into two: single-celled organisms (unicellular) and multiple-celled organisms (multi-cellular).

#2. Tissue

When similar cells aggregate, they form a tissue. A tissue is a group of interconnected cells that perform the same function. Like cells, tissues perform metabolic processes that keep the organism alive. In multi-cellular organisms, the study of tissue is called histology (from Greek words histos meaning “tissue” and logos meaning “study of.”

#3. Organ

Coming from the Latin word organum which means “tool” or “instrument”, an organ is a collection of tissues and similar structures that all function as one. Organs of multi-cellular organisms are, in fact, very diverse. Plant organs include flowers (if there are), roots, stems, and leaves. On the other hand, the organs of animals include the brain, heart, stomach, eyes, and many more.

#4. Organ System

Next to the hierarchy is the organ system. An organ system associates different organs and other anatomical structures that perform a certain physiological process. While each organ system in an organism works as a distinct entity, they all cooperate to help keep the organism alive. In plants, organ systems include the root and shoot system, while animal organ systems include the digestive, nervous, circulatory system, and others.

#5. Organism

An organism can be defined as any living thing that is composed of various organ systems that function altogether. Scientists estimate about 8.7 million organisms, but only 1.2 million have been identified. Hence, various efforts have been continually made to discover them. Check out the immortal organisms that defy death.

#6. Population

When similar organisms group together, they form the next level in the organization, a population. A population is formed when such individuals reside in a common environment at a given time. For instance, a population can change over time due to several events like births, mortality, and migration of organisms. The number of individuals in a population often depends on the abundance of resources and favorable climate. In addition, predation and competition are also biological factors that control populations.

#7. Community

Next to the hierarchy is the community. A community is defined as the interactions of different populations with each other. Various interactions exist, such as mutualism, commensalism, predation, parasitism, and competition. Often, a certain population of organisms dominates the community and hence are relatively more abundant than others. Such is considered a distinguishable characteristic of a biological community.

#8. Ecosystem

A short term for “ecological system”, an ecosystem is the interaction of (organisms, population, and community) to their abiotic or non-living environment. An ecosystem’s biotic (living) members are highly dependent on such abiotic factors as weather, sunlight, water depth, salinity, and the availability of nutrients. Hence, the presence or absence of even one factor can greatly affect the ecosystem. In addition, one distinct characteristic of an ecosystem is that each organism has a “niche” or role to perform.

#9. Biome

Ever heard of tundra, savanna, desert, tropical rain-forest, and grassland? Some of these are quite familiar, but if you haven’t heard of them, all mentioned are types of the next level in the biological organization, the biome. As the different environments describe, a biome is a huge geographic area where various ecosystems exist and organisms adapt. Generally, a biome is more of the continental grouping of various ecosystems in a particular climate. Further Reading: Biological Weathering

#10. Biosphere

Coming from the Greek word “bios” meaning “life”, and “sphaira” meaning sphere, the biosphere is the topmost level in the hierarchy of living organisms. A biosphere is a global system comprising everything where life exists and the abiotic environments they reside in. It is the sum of all ecosystems on Earth; hence, it is also called the ecosphere.

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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