1. Levels of organization

2. Atoms – smallest unit of all matter
Molecules – a few atoms put together with covalent bonds
Macromolecules – very large molecules made up of hundreds or thousands of atoms

3. Cells – the smallest units of life that are made up of cell organelles
Cells – the smallest units of life that are made up of cell organelles. Cells specialize to perform all life functions.

4. TISSUES – groups of cells of similar structure that perform a particular, related function.

6. ORGANS: Structures of definite form and structure, comprising two or more tissues.

7. ORGAN SYSTEMS: an association of organs with a common function.
There are several organ systems in the human (many animal) body: (know 3 examples)
Circulatory Integumentary
Excretory Sensory
Respiratory Reproductive
Digestive Muscular
Immune Skeletal
Nervous
Endocrine

8. ORGANISM: The complex functioning of all the components above builds up the organism.

9. The following levels include groups of organisms
POPULATION – a group of organisms that belong to the same species (ex. All white tailed deer in a forest)
COMMUNITY – all living organisms that live in the same area and interact with each other. (all living organisms of the same forest)

10. ECOSYSTEMS – all living organisms and their nonliving environment in a given area.
BIOSPHERE – all life forms and the environment that they live in on the planet.