Levels of Organization

The level of organization is the hierarchy of complex biological structures and systems that define life. The traditional hierarchy for these levels is detailed below, from the lowest level  to the highest level.



Image
Level of Organization
Explanation
Example


Atomic Level
Atoms are defined as the smallest unit of an element that still maintains the property of that element.
Ø Carbon,
Ø Hydrogen,
Ø Oxygen

Molecular Level
Atoms combine to form molecules which can have entirely different properties than the atoms they contain.
Ø Water,
Ø DNA,
ØCarbohydrate   

Cellular Level
Cells are the smallest unit of life. Cells are enclosed by a membrane or cell wall and in multicellular organisms often perform specific functions.
Ø Muscle cell,
Ø Skin cell,
Ø Neuron

Tissue Level
Tissues are groups of cells with similar functions
Ø Muscle,
Ø Epithelial,
Ø Connective  

Organic level
Organs are two or more types of tissues that work together to complete a specific task.
Ø Heart,
Ø Liver,
Ø Stomach

Organ System level
An organ system is group of organs that carries out more generalized set of functions.
Ø Digestive System,
Ø Circulatory System

Organismal  level
An organism has several organ systems that function together.
Ø Human