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LEVELS OF ORGANISATION
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Level of organisation Molecular level Cellular level Tissue level Organ level Science which studies the level Biochemistry Cytology and microbiology Histology Genetic, physiology and organography Botany, zoology, ethology and paleontology Ecology

FROM THE SMALLEST TO THE BIGGEST Subatomic level. This is made up of the smallest particles of matter, such as neutrons, protons, electrons, etc. Atomic level. This is made up of atoms, which are the smallest portions of a chemical element which keeps its properties. Molecular level. This is made up of molecules or compounds which are the result of the union of two or more atoms by means of chemical links, such as, for example, a molecule of oxygen (O2) and a molecule of water (H2O).

Organism level Ecosystem level

BIOTIC LEVELS OF ORGANISATION

Cellular level. This consists of cells. These are the smallest units of living matter that can exist freely in a medium, as they can carry out all the functions of living beings (interaction, nutrition and reproduc-

tion). If a living being is made up of only one cell it is called a unicellular organism. Multicellular level. This consists of living beings which have more than one cell. These are multicellular organism. But within this level various levels of complexity or sublevels can be differentiated. From the smallest to the biggest, these are as follows. 1-Tissues. These are sets of specialised cells which have the same function and the same origin. For example, the muscular tissue, formed by packets of muscular cells. 2-Organs. These are the structural and functional units of superior living beings. They are made up of various different tissues which are joined together to carry out a specific function known as an act. For example, the heart, which beats to pomp the blood, consists of muscular, nervous and conjunctive tissues. 3-Systems or apparatus. These are sets of different or gans which carry out actions which are independent from each other but whose acts are coordinated. For ex ample, the digestive apparatus which is made up of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc. 4 Organism. The complete unit of the living being. Population level. This includes all populations, the set of individuals of the same species which live in the same zone at the same time. For example, a swarm of bees. Ecosystem level. This consists of all the sets of different populations of different beings related together and the place where they live, and their physical and chemical conditions. The set of ecosystems which exist in the world is known as the biosphere,
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WHAT ARE CELLS?
Cells are the structural and functional units of all living beings. They have three basics structures: The cell membrane is the thin layer which separates the inside of the cell from its surrounding environment. Cytoplasm is the gelatinous, semi-transparent fluid which fills most cells. It contains structures called organelles, which are responsible for cells functions. The nucleus carries the genetic (hereditary) information of living things which is passed from one generation to the next. Genetic material can refer to anything from a small fragment of DNA to the entire genome. A genome is the total set of genes, in other words, the chemical units of hereditary information carried by a cell.

PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Prokaryotic cells. The genetic material is loose in the cytoplasm. Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic organism. Eukaryotic cells. The genetic material is enclosed in a structure called the nucleus. Animals and plants are multicellular, eukaryotic organism.

ANIMAL AND PLANT CELLS

These are cells organelles: Cell membrane. Encloses the cell and regulates the substances exchanged between the inside and the outside of the cell. Cytoplasm. The inside of the cell which contains the nucleus and the organelles. Nucleus. Contains the genetic material of the cell. Ribosomes. Where proteins are made. Rough ER (Endoplasmic reticulum). Where proteins formed in the ribosomes are stored and processed. Vacuoles. Sacs which contain storage or waste substances. They are much larger in plant cells. Vesicles. Transport substances. Mitochondrion. Responsible for cell respiration. Golgi body. Where substances produced in the ER are processed. Cell wall. Only in plant cells. A thik, rigid layer which provides support and protection Chloroplast. Only in plant cells. Where photosynthesis takes place.

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ACTIVITIES
1-Put in the right order the following terms: ATOMS SYSTEMS TISSUES ORGANS MOLECULES CELLS

LIVING BEINGS

2-Complete the following sentences using 5 of the terms of exercise 1: A-The result of the union of two or more atoms are............................................. B-Tissues come together to make............................................. C-The smallest unit of living matter are ............................... D-Organs are grouped together to form.................................... E-Groups of cells form......................................... 3-Use the information bellow to explain in complete sentences the structure and function of the following cells.
CELL Nerve FUNCTION Carries messages around the body Red blood Absorbs and carries O2 around the body Large cell membrane surface area STRUCTURE Long, thin fibres

Sperm

Fertilises egg

Has a long tail, allowing it move

Root hair

Absorbs water

Large cell membrane surface area

Egg

Develops into an embryo when fertilised

Contains a great deal of cytoplasm

Leaf

Site of photosynthesis

Contains many chloroplasts

NERVE CELL

Nerve cells have long, thin fibres to carry messages around the body.

RED BLOOD CELLS

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SPERM CELL ROOT HAIR CELL EGG CELL LEAF CELL 4-Complete using sentences:
STRUCTURE Cell wall PLANT X ANIMAL FUNCTION The cell wall provides support and protection

Cell Membrane Cytoplasm

Chloroplast

Golgi body

Endoplasmic reticulum

Nucleus

Mitochondrion

Ribosome

5in pairs: a) What is a ribosome? b) The part of a cell where...

Work

6 In this web page you can see the names of the different cell structures. http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/WESTMIN/science/sbi3a1/Cells/cells.htm Click on QUIZ and try to answer the questions. 7-You can try matching, concentration an Word search. Good luck! http://www.quia.com/mc/65947.html
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