THE ORGANIZATION OF LIVING THINGS

BENEFITS OF BEING MULTICELLULAR

Larger Size: larger organisms are prey for fewer predators. Also, large predators can eat a wider variety of prey

Longer Life: not limited to the life span of any single cell
Specialization: each type of cell has a particular job. This makes the organism more efficient!

EXAMPLE:
Cardiac Muscle Cell

 Level 1: Cell -smallest unit that can perform life processes independently -vary in size and shape -Example: plant cell (square) and animal cell (round)

LEVEL 2: TISSUE CELLS WORKING TOGETHER

Tissue: a group of cells that work together to perform a specific job
Animals have 4 basic types of tissues: 1. nerve tissue

2. muscle tissue

3. connective tissue

4. Protective Tissue

Example: Adipose (fat) cells in the skin

PLANT TISSUES
Plants have 3 types of tissue: 1. transport tissue 2. protective tissue (dermal) 3. ground tissue

LEVEL 3: ORGAN TISSUES WORKING TOGETHER

Organ = a collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body Example: heart - has mostly cardiac tissue, but also has nerve tissue and tissues of the blood vessels that all work together Other examples: stomach, intestines, brain, and lungs

 Examples in plants: the leaf plant organ that contains tissue that traps light energy to make food Also: stems and roots

IS THAT A FACT?!
In your lifetime, your body will shed about 40 pounds of dead skin!

LEVEL 4: ORGAN SYSTEM ORGANS WORKING TOGETHER

Organ system = group of organs that work together to perform body functions Examples: digestive system, which includes several organs, such as the stomach and intestines

ON ITS OWN: ORGANISM

Organism = a living thing; anything that can carry out life processes independently An organism can be unicellular, like this bacteria:

 OR an organism can be multicellular, like you!

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

In organisms, structure and function are related. Structure = arrangement of parts in an organization -Includes the shape of a part and the material of which the part is made Function = the job that the part does

EXAMPLE OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION:

The structure of the lungs is a large, spongy sac. Blood vessels wrap around aveoli (air sacs). The structure of the aveoli and blood vessels enable them to perform a function, which is bring oxygen into the body and take out carbon dioxide.

REVIEW:
1. A ____________ is the most basic unit of all living things. 2. The job that an organ does is the _________ of that organ. 3. A group of cells working together to perform a specific function is a ______.

ANSWERS:
1. cell 2. function 3. tissue