The biosystem is ... The organism as a biosystem

The biosystem is a complex network of biologically relevant organizations, from global to subatomic. This conceptual illustration reflects multiple nesting systems in nature - populations of organisms, organs and tissues. On a micro- and nanoscopic scale, examples of biological systems are cells, organelles, macromolecular complexes and regulatory pathways.

Organism as a Biosystem

In biology, the organism is any adjacent living system along with animals, plants, fungi, protists or bacteria. All known types of creatures on Earth are able to react to some extent to stimuli, multiply, grow, develop and self-regulate (homeostasis).

The organism as a biosystem consists of one or several cells. Most unicellular organisms have a microscopic scale and, therefore, belong to microorganisms. People are multicellular organisms, consisting of many trillions of cells, grouped into specialized tissues and organs.

The diversity and diversity of biological systems

Estimates of the number of modern Earth species range from 10 to 14 million, of which only about 1.2 million have been officially documented.

The term "organism" is directly related to the term "organization". One can give the following definition: it is the assembly of molecules functioning as a more or less stable whole, which manifests the properties of life. An organism as a biosystem is any living structure, such as a plant, animal, fungus or bacteria that is capable of growing and multiplying. From this category, viruses and possible anthropogenic inorganic life forms are excluded, as they depend on the biochemical mechanism of the host cell.

The human body as a biosystem

The human body can also be called a biosystem. This is the totality of all organs. Our bodies consist of a number of biological systems that perform the specific functions necessary for daily life.

• The work of the circulatory system consists in the movement of blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones to organs and tissues. It consists of the heart, blood, blood vessels, arteries and veins.
• The digestive system consists of a series of connected organs, which together allow the body to absorb and digest food, and also deals with waste disposal. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. The liver and pancreas also play an important role in the digestive system, because they produce digestive juices.
• The endocrine system consists of eight major glands that secrete hormones into the blood. These hormones, in turn, travel through different tissues and regulate various functions of the body.
• The immune system is the body's defense against bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens. It includes lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, lymphocytes and leukocytes.
• The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes, ducts and vessels, and also plays a role as protective forces of the body. Its main task is to form and move the lymph, a transparent liquid containing white blood cells, which help the body fight the infection. The lymphatic system also removes excess lymph fluid from the bodily tissues and returns it to the blood.
• The nervous system controls both voluntary (for example, conscious movement) and involuntary actions (eg, breathing), and sends signals to various parts of the body. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that connect each part of the body to the central nervous system.
• The muscular system of the body consists of about 650 muscles that help in movement, circulation and perform a number of other physical functions.

• The reproductive system allows people to reproduce. The male reproductive system includes the penis and testes that produce sperm. The female reproductive system consists of the vagina, the uterus and the ovaries. During conception, spermatozoa merge with the egg, which creates a fertilized egg that grows in the uterus.
• Our bodies are supported by a skeletal system consisting of 206 bones, which are connected by tendons, ligaments and cartilages. The skeleton not only helps us to move, but also participates in the production of blood cells and storage of calcium. Teeth are also part of the skeletal system, but they are not considered bones.
• The breathing system allows you to take vital oxygen and remove carbon dioxide in a process that we call breathing. It consists mainly of the trachea, diaphragm and lungs.
• The urinary system helps to eliminate an unnecessary product called urea from the body. It consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, two sphincter muscles and a urethra. Urine produced by the kidneys moves down the ureters into the bladder and exits the body through the urethra.
• Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It protects us from the outside world, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, and also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate waste through sweat. In addition to the skin, the integumentary system includes hair and nails.

Vital organs

People have five vital organs that are necessary for survival. It is the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.

• The human brain is the center of the body's control, the reception and transmission of signals to other organs through the nervous system and through secreted hormones. He is responsible for our thoughts, feelings, memory and the overall perception of the world.
• The human heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout our body.
• The work of the kidneys is to remove waste and additional fluid from the blood.
• The liver has many functions, including detoxification of harmful chemicals, drug decay, blood filtration, bile secretion and protein production for blood clotting.
• Lungs are responsible for removing oxygen from the air we breathe and transferring it to our blood, where it can be directed into our cells. The lungs also remove the carbon dioxide that we exhale.

Fun facts

• The human body contains about 100 trillion cells.
• The average adult commits more than 20,000 breaths per day.
• Each day, the kidneys process about 200 quarts (50 gallons) of blood to filter out about 2 quarts of waste and water.
• Adults emit about a quarter and a half (1.42 liters) of urine each day.
• The human brain contains about 100 billion nerve cells.
• Water is more than 50 percent of the body weight of an adult.

Why is the body called a biosystem?

A living organism is a definite organization of living matter. It is a biosystem that, like any other system, includes interrelated elements, for example, molecules, cells, tissues, organs. Everything in this world consists of something, a certain hierarchy is peculiar to a living organism. This means that the molecules consist of cells, of cells - tissues, of tissues - organs, of organs - systems of organs. The properties of biosystems also include emergence, which means the appearance of qualitatively new characteristics that are present when elements are combined and absent at previous levels.

Cell as a Biosystem

One single cell can also be called a full-fledged biosystem. This is an elementary unit, having its own structure and its own metabolism. It is able to exist on its own, reproduce its own kind and evolve according to its own laws. In biology there is a whole section devoted to its study, which is called cytology or cell biology.

A cell is an elementary living system that includes individual components that have specific characteristics and fulfill their functional duties.

A complex system

The biosystem consists of the same living substance: from macromolecules and cells to population communities and ecosystems. It has the following levels of organization:

• Gene level;
• Cellular level;
• Organs and systems of organs;
• Organisms and systems of organisms;
• Population and population systems;
• Communities and ecosystems.

Biological components of different levels of organization in a certain order interact with inanimate nature, energy and other abiotic components and substances. Depending on the scale, different systems are subjects of study of different disciplines. Genes are engaged in genetics, cells are considered cytology. The organs are taken over by physiology. Organisms are studied by ichthyology, microbiology, ornithology, anthropology and so on.