The Thirteen Levels of The Thirteen Levels of Biological OrganizationBiological Organization

THE SPECTRUM OF LIFETHE SPECTRUM OF LIFE

Harold Moore and John OarlockHarold Moore and John OarlockIllinois State UniversityIllinois State University

1st Level- Subatomic1st Level- Subatomic

• Electrons• Protons• Neutrons involved in

• Energy transformations,

• Radioactivity, subatomic reactions and particle formation

2nd Level- Atomic 2nd Level- Atomic

• Hydrogen• Carbon• Oxygen• Iron etc. Are

The basic building

blocks of all matter,

living and non-living

3rd Level- Molecular 3rd Level- Molecular

• Acids, Salts• Hydrocarbons• Alcohols, Amino acids

Formation of molecules from component atoms and molecular fragments

4th Level.-Macromolecular-4th Level.-Macromolecular-Molecular Systems Molecular Systems

• Starch , Proteins• Nucleic acids• Mixtures: solutions,

Suspensions, colloids involved in

• Enzyme action,• Replication,• Crystal formation,• Molecular aggregation.

5th Level - Subcellular 5th Level - Subcellular

• Cell Membrane• Mitochondrion• Nucleus• Plastid involved in

Transfer of materials across membranes, Individual metabolic functions: photosynthesis, oxidation, syntheses of all types

6th Level- Cellular 6th Level- Cellular

• Nerve cell• Muscle cell• Epidermal cell• Meristematic cell• Phloem cell• Protist types Involved in

All life functions

7th Level - Tissue7th Level - Tissue

• Nerve tissue• Muscle tissue• Epidermis• Meristem• Phloem Involved in

• Specialization in performance of one function for the benefit of entire organism

8th Level - Organ8th Level - Organ

• Root • Stem• Stomach • Liver • Testis • Eye Specialization in

performance of one more functions for benefit of entire organism

9th Level - Organ System 9th Level - Organ System

• Root system• Leaf system• Circulatory system• Nervous system

Specialization in performance of one or more functions for the benefit of entire organism

10th Level – Multicellular 10th Level – Multicellular Organisms Organisms

• Mushroom• Insect• jellyfish

Integration of all life activities in a single specialized unit.

11th Level – Community 11th Level – Community

• Pond community, Coral reef, Rotting log community, Rocky ledge community

forming a

Balanced interaction of the organisms and the environments in a specific area.

12th Level – Biome 12th Level – Biome

Tropical Forest,

Temperate Forest,

Coniferous Forest,

Grassland, Desert, Tundra,

Marine

The operation of each major life zone covers a large area of the earth

13th Level – Terrome 13th Level – Terrome

• Life of the earth

The balanced relationship of life, matter and energy over the entire earth