Hierarchy of Life

BIOSPHERE

The part of the Earth inhabited by living organisms

-A location on the Earth’s surface

ECOSYSTEM

A community together with its nonliving surroundings

-Snake, Antelope, Hawk, Bushes, Grass, Rocks, Stream, and Rich Soil all in the same area

COMMUNITY

Two or more populations of different species living and interacting in the same area

-Snake, Antelope, Hawk, Bushes, and Grass all in the same area

POPULATION

Members of one species (organisms that are similar and can interbreed) inhabiting the same area

-Pack of wolves or a School of fish

MULTICELLULAR ORGANISM

An individual living thing composed of many cells

-Pronghorn antelope or a Homo sapien

ORGAN SYSTEM

Two or more organs working together to accomplish a specific body function

-Nervous System or Digestive System

ORGAN

A structure usually composed of several tissue types that work together to serve a specific function, within the organ system

-Brain, Liver, or Stomach

TISSUE

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function

-Epidermis, Stomach lining, or Cardiac Muscle tissue

CELL

The smallest unit of life

-Nerve Cell or Muscle Cell

ORGANELLE

A structure within a cell that performs a specific function

-Mitochondrion, Chloroplast, or Nucleus

MOLECULE

A combination of atoms

-Water, Glucose, or DNA

ATOM

The smallest particle of an element that retains the property of that element

-Hydrogen, Carbon, or Nitrogen

SUBATOMIC PARTICLE

Particles that make up an atom

-Proton, Neutron, or Electron