Life is structured in different levels of organization.
The notion of levels of organization is used in the field of biology to refer to the different degrees of complexity or hierarchy that can be found in the universe . These levels range from subatomic particles to the biosphere .
Life , therefore, is organized in different ways. Biologists are in charge of studying all these strata that are interrelated with each other.
The most basic levels of organization
Subatomic particles represent the lowest level of the elements that make up matter. These particles form atoms , which in turn are grouped into molecules . These levels of organization are analyzed by biochemists.
At the next level of organization we find cells : the smallest structural units of living beings that can reproduce independently. The cells are organized into tissues , which give rise to organs .
The organs, for their part, are functionally grouped into systems . The various systems make up an organism ; Organisms of the same species come together in a population .
Community, ecosystem and biosphere
Advancing through levels of organization, populations form communities . Many communities in the same physical environment create an ecosystem . And so we arrive at the highest level of organization: the biosphere , which is the set of ecosystems.
It is important to keep in mind that the lower level (subatomic particles) is still present in the biosphere. There is a complex development from the precellular or acellular level (atoms, molecules) to the multicellular level (organs, systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere), passing through the cellular level (cells) and the supracellular level ( tissues ). .
The biosphere is the most advanced level of organization.
Components of organization levels
Below we will see in detail each of the components of the different levels of organization mentioned above. We start with those at the acellular and precellular level . The atom is defined as the smallest possible constituent unit of matter. Its properties are those of a chemical element. The size of the atom is really small, to the point that it can only be observed using a highly sophisticated microscope: we are talking about an average of 100 picometers, that is, one meter divided into ten billion.
At this level of organization we also find the molecule , a group of at least two atoms that is stable and electrically neutral. Its atoms have a strong chemical bond , which can be ionic or covalent. At the subcellular level are organelles , structures that are contained in the cytoplasm of cells, especially eukaryotes, with a defined shape.
The cellular level has the fundamental unit of life, the cell , which is in turn a group of organelles. At the supracellular level we find tissue , a natural biological material that is made up of a complex group of cells of one type or more.
Finally we arrive at the most complete level of organization, the multicellular , where we have the following components:
* organ : a group of several tissues that constitute a unit that is responsible for fulfilling a specific function within the framework of a multicellular organism;
* system : a functional network of organs that have complementary functions. In the case of humans we can mention the respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems, for example;
* organism : is synonymous with a living being , that is, a complex whole in which systems intervene that relate its different parts in a complex way, both internally and externally;
* population : a group of organisms belonging to a particular species;
* biocenosis : also known as community , and is the way in which populations are grouped;
* ecosystem : the group to which many organisms and a physical environment belong, with which they relate in a way that is generally beneficial to both parties;
* biosphere : all ecosystems grouped together.