Levels of organization of living matter

Levels of organization of living matter - a symbol used to classify all living organisms on our planet. The living nature of the Earth is truly diverse. Organisms can take a variety of sizes: starting from the simplest and one-celled microbes, passing to multicellular creatures, and ending with the largest animals on earth - whales.

Evolution on Earth took place in such a way that organisms developed from the simplest (in the literal sense) to more complex ones. So, then emerging, then disappearing, new species improved in the course of evolution, taking on an increasingly bizarre appearance.

To systematize this incredible number of living organisms, and introduced levels of organization of living matter. The fact is that, despite the differences in appearance and structure, all organisms of living nature have common features: they somehow consist of molecules, have repeating elements in their composition, in one sense or another - the general functions of organs; They feed on, multiply, grow old and die. In other words, the properties of a living organism, in spite of external differences, are similar. Actually, being guided by these data, it is possible to trace how the evolution on our planet was passing.

So, consider the levels of organization of living matter in more detail. The first level applies to all living organisms without exception. The higher it is (the level), the more the number of representatives of the living nature is eliminated.

1. The molecular level is inherent in all organisms. Within this level, processes that occur in any living organism that are invisible to the naked eye occur: the synthesis and decomposition of nutrients, building or protective substances. This is the level of large molecular compounds (proteins, nucleic acids , etc.)

2. Supramolecular or subcellular. The level at which the molecules are structured into cell organelles: cell membrane, chromosomes, vacuoles, nucleus, etc.

3. Cellular. At this level, matter is represented in the form of an elementary functional unit-cells.

4. Organic and tissue level. It is at this level that all the organs and tissues of a living organism are formed, regardless of their complexity: the brain, the tongue, the kidney, etc. It should be borne in mind that the tissue is a collection of cells united by a common structure and function. The organ is a part of the organism, in the "duty" of which is the fulfillment of a clearly defined function.

5. Ontogenetic or organismic level. At this level, the various bodies are united in a holistic organism. To put it another way, this level is represented by an integral individual of any kind.

6. Population-species. Organisms or individuals having a similar structure, functions and similar appearance, and thus related to the same species, are included in one population. In biology, a population is understood as the totality of all individuals of a given species. In turn, they all form a genetically unified and isolated system. The population lives in a certain place - the area and, as a rule, does not intersect with representatives of other species. The species, in turn, is the aggregate of all populations. Living organisms can interbreed and produce offspring only within their species.

7. Biocenotic. The level at which living organisms unite into biocenoses is the totality of all populations living in a particular territory. Belonging to one form or another in this case does not matter.

8. Biogeocenotic. This level is due to the formation of biogeocenoses, that is, the totality of biocenosis and non-living factors (soil, climatic conditions) in the area where the biocenosis lives.

9. Biospheric. The level that unites all living organisms on the planet.

Thus, the levels of organization of living matter include nine points. Such a classification determines the systematization of living organisms existing in modern science.