1. Levels of organization
SC.6.L.14.1: describe and identify patterns in the hierarchical organization of organisms from atoms to molecules and cells to tissues to organs to organ systems to organisms.
2 Handouts needed: “Levels of Organization Power Point Review” and “Video Sheet for Levels of Organization”

2. Key Ideas/Concepts for you to know:
Living things have structures that are very organized so that body parts work together to keep everything running well!
Living things are made of cells that organize into specialized groups that have special jobs
The specialized “groups” made of cells—tissues and organs for example—work with each other to help us to function
Cells are alive, but, they’re made of non-living things called atoms

3. What do we mean by levels of organization?
Body parts and systems in any organism work together to keep a living thing functioning
We are living things—organisms—made up of organ systems such as the digestive system or the respiratory system
Other living things like plants or bacteria have their own different levels of internal organization in order to function
Our organ systems are made of organs that work together
Our organs are made of groups of cells that work together called tissues
Tissues are made up of cells and cells are the smallest living things in our bodies!
In a way, everything in our body is organized to help us running well!

4. Levels of Organization in living things
Organisms, or living things, are made of tiny, non-living particles that can join together, making larger, living structures. The levels of organization from smallest to largest are:
Atom
Elements
Compounds and/or molecules
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ Systems
Organism

5. An atom-is known as the basic unit of matter—it’s the building block of anything—it’s made of smaller parts and it’s not alive! An element- is made of one kind of atom--iron or gold are elements. An element can’t be changed or broken down into a simpler substance. You may have a periodic table of elements in your classroom-it’s a list of all of the elements that we know of so far!

6. A compound: is made of two or more elements chemically bonded together
A compound: is made of two or more elements chemically bonded together. A molecule: Is a group of atoms held together, a molecule is the smallest unit of some compounds. The water molecule below is an example of one molecule of a compound. Water is made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom, it’s H2O.

7. CELLS: are the smallest living part of the body.
Cells are made of elements that are made of atoms. They are also made of water and other materials. Cells are known as the basic unit of structure and function in any living things.
Cells come in different shapes and sizes and have different jobs. The size and shape of a cell helps it to do it’s job.

8. Tissues: are made of cells, they’re a group of cells that work together for a special job.
Your bones are one example of tissues, made of special types of cells. Your heart is made of special tissues that are different from other types of tissues in your body.

9. Organ: A group of tissues organized to perform complex activities, your stomach is an organ.
Organs are made of tissues that are made of cells….see how well organized we are?
Your stomach is an example of an organ…notice how many different types of tissue make it up?
Our liver or our kidneys are some other examples of organs that are made of tissue and that are part of an organ system!

10. Organ System: made of many organs that work together to perform a specific job or function.
In the human body, we have many organ systems such as the ones you see here. The nervous system, for example, is made up of our brain and our spinal cord. The brain controls all of the other organ systems such as the reproductive system, the respiratory system, or, the urinary system.

11. Organism: Any living thing
An organism is ANY living thing! We are organisms made of all of the smaller parts that make us run.
All organisms have levels or organization to help them to maintain homeostasis—the balance that our body has to keep us healthy.

12. Here’s a video to help with all of this
Here’s a video to help with all of this. You need to complete the “Video Sheet for Levels of Organization” along with the movie.