LEVELS OF COMPLEXITY

. CHEMICAL COMPONENTS

At the chemical level, the human body,

like all other matter both living and nonliving is composed of ATOMS (smallest unit
of matter) that participate in chemical
reactions and IONS, which are, charged
atoms. Atoms combine to form MOLECULES.
Atoms, ions, and molecules participate in
the chemical reactions that contribute to all
higher level of body functions.

2. ORGANELLE
Structure contained within a cell that performs
one or more specific functions.
*Nucleus
*Mitochondrion
*Golgi apparatus
*Endoplasmic reticulum
*Ribosomes
*Lysosomes

4. TISSUES
Groups of similar cells and the material surrounding
them specialized to carry out particular functions.

There are four major types of tissues, namely:

4.1 EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Protects against abrasion and entry of harmful
substances.
*Skin surface
*Passageways in the digestive and respiratory systems
*Forms parts of many glands

4.2 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Connects body parts.
Mostly are surrounded by an organic
fibrous matrix.
*Forms bones
*Attaches muscles to bones
*Attaches skin to muscles

4.3 MUSCLE TISSUE

Specialize to exert force by contraction
*Skeletal muscle
*Cardiac muscle
*Smooth muscle
4.4 NERVOUS TISSUE
Specialize to carry signals.
*Brain
*Spinal cord
*Nerves
Aggregation of cells to form tissues is only one step in the development of
complexity in a multicellular organism such as human. Different tissues combine to
form an organ.

5. ORGAN

Composed of different types of tissues

to carry out a more general function.

Examples:

*Lungs

*Heart

*Stomach

6. SYSTEM

Group of organs integrated by structure and

function to carry out one or more general
processes.

For example, the mouth, esophagus,

stomach, intestines, and associated glands work
together as a DIGESTIVE SYSTEM digest foods,
absorbs nutrients, and excrete wastes. Activities
of organ systems are integrated at the organism
level of function.

7. ORGANISM

Any living thing considered as a

whole.

Human organism is a complex of

mutually dependent organ systems.

BASIC LIFE PROCESSES

Human organs work together continuously to perform

all the basic life processes necessary to maintain life. Basic
life processes of the human body include:

1. METABOLISM
Is the sum of all chemical processes that occur in
the body: It includes breaking down large, complex
molecules into smaller, simpler ones and building the
bodys structural and functional components.

2. RESPONSIVENESS
Is the bodys ability to detect and respond
to changes in its external or internal environment.
Different cells in the body detect different sorts of
changes and respond in characteristic ways.

3. MOVEMENT
Includes motions of the whole body,
individual organs, single cells, and even tiny
structures inside the cell.

4. GROWTH
It is an increase in body size that results
from an increase in the size of the existing cells,
the number of cells, or both.

5. DIFFERENTIATION
Is a process a cell undergoes to develop
from unspecialized state. Specialized cells differ in
structure and function from the ancestor cells that
gave rise to them.

6. REPRODUCTION

Refers either to the formation of

new cells for growth, repair, or
replacement, or to the production of new
individual.