Levels of Organization

atom atom is the smallest particle that maintains its physical and chemical properties; note that particles smaller than the atom have been discovered, but they do not maintain these properties

molecule when two or more atoms are bonded together

macromolecule when two or more molecules are bonded together to form large (gigantic!) molecules Lipids

organelles several macromolecules bonded together form these building blocks of a cell

Below this level begins what scientists consider living or alive

cells the smallest unit of life, a cell is a collection of organelles functioning together

tissues a collections of cells working together to perform a specific job

organs two or more types of tissues that work together to complete a specific task

organ systems several organs working in unison to achieve a common goal

organism several organ systems functioning together

population groups of individual organisms of the same species working together to achieve a common goal

community populations of different species of organisms A community is the set of all populations that inhabit a certain area. Communities can have different sizes and boundaries.

ecosystem groups of different populations living in the same environment the community plus its physical environment. include both the biotic and abiotic parts of an environment An ecosystem can be as large as the Sahara Desert, or as small as a puddle or a pond

Deciduous Forest Biome a collection of ecosystems with similar climates – biomes are determined by rainfall amounts. a biome can be thought of many similar ecosystems throughout the world grouped together. Coral Reef Deciduous Forest Biome

Biomes of the World

biosphere The surface of earth as far out as life can be supported. All of the biomes on the planet earth