1. Patterns in Nature Topic 9: Cells to Systems
Part of the Patterns in Nature Module
Biology in Focus, Preliminary Course
Glenda Childrawi and Stephanie Hollis

2. DOT Point
Identify some examples that demonstrate the structural and functional relationship between cells, tissues, organs and organ systems in multicellular organisms.
chipstop.savetheforests.org.au

3. Introduction
Organisms need to interact with their surroundings, take up substances that they need for their functioning and get rid of wastes which build up as a result of metabolic functions.
pbase.com

4. Introduction
Unicellular organisms are so small that simple diffusion is adequate to supply the organism’s requirements and to remove wastes. Water levels can also be maintained through the passive process of osmosis because the surface area to volume ratio is large enough.
davidlnelson.md

5. Introduction
Multicellular organisms are larger in overall size and so their surface area to volume ratio is smaller. As a result, passive transport would be insufficient to address their needs. This problem is overcome by the functional organisation of these multicellular organisms.
telegraph.co.uk

6. Introduction
Large organisms are made up of numerous small cells, so that each cell has its own large surface area to volume ratio. This leads to an increase in the efficiency of diffusion and osmosis in individual cells.
publications.nigms.nih.gov

7. Introduction
Multicellular organism cells are also organised into groups called tissues which are further organised into organs and systems developed to further increase efficiency.
anselm.edu

8. Structure and Function
Flattened cells like the tissue lining the air sacs in the lungs, or elongated cells like photosynthetic cells in leaves, give a greater surface area to volume ratio than cube shaped cells.
nikonsmallworld.com

9. Structure and Function
The exposed edges of cells may also be extended into folds like the root hairs that absorb water and mineral salts in plants or the cells lining the wall of the small intestine that absorb nutrients.
redorbit.com

10. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
In multicellular organisms different cell types (tissues) become structurally suited to carry out different functions. This increases their effectiveness in carrying out their functions. Some cells are involved in obtaining nutrients, whereas other tissues function in movement, growth and excretion.
bio.davidson.edu

11. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
Young cells (called embryonic cells) are similar to each other in structure early in life but once it begins to grow and mature they develop suitable structural changes that allow them to carry out specialised functions.
aeuts.com

12. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
When cells become specialised to perform a particular function, they are said to differentiate. They develop suitable structural features which allow them to carry out their functions. This makes them structurally different from other types of cells and from the embryonic cells from which they arose.
nist.gov

13. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
Once they have become specialised to form a particular type of tissue, differentiated cells lose their capacity to develop into other types of cells. Many even lose their ability to divide and give rise to the same type of cells. Undifferentiated cells are able to divide and differentiate into other types of cells. They are known as stem cells.
biologyonline.us

14. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
Stem cells may be embryonic (found in embryos) or adult stem cells (eg: neural stem cells lining the ventricles of the adult brain or blood producing stem cells in bond marrow) Stem cell research is a current area of contention. How do you feel about this?
topnews.ae
maltadiocese.org

15. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
Embryonic stem cells can give rise to all other cell types and may be useful for the treatment of injuries and diseases. This involves harvesting cells from living embryos…
globalpharmasectornews.com

16. Cell Differentiation and Specialisation
The use of adult stem cells is non-destructive but adult stem cells are only able to give rise to their own particular type of tissue (eg: neural cells give rise to cells of the nervous system) Current researchers are trying to induce adult stem cells to transdifferentiate into cell types that they do not normally produce.
odec.ca

17. Functional Organisation
Just as similar specialised cells that perform common functions and are arranged together to form tissues, groups of tissues collectively form organs. An organ is an arrangement of different types of tissues, grouped together for some special purpose. For example, the leaf is an organ for making food. The heart is an organ for pumping blood.
mwsu-bio101.ning.com

18. Functional Organisation
A system is a collection of organs that will all work together to achieve an overall body function. A multicellular organism is composed of many systems which function together cooperatively to ensure its survival. What do you think would happen if one of these systems malfunctioned?
infovisual.info

19. Activity
-Hand out copies of Functional Organisation chart (pg Prelim Bio in Focus text)
Students to complete:
-Dot Point Question 3.1.1: Complete the following table to distinguish between cells, tissues, organs and organ systems in multicellular organisms.