Levels of Organization

atom molecule organelle cell tissue organ organ system organism population community ecosystem biosphere

- smallest unit of an element - unit of 2 or more atoms - structures with specific jobs inside a cell - smallest living unit - group of same cells functioning together - structural unit of different tissues - two or more organs interacting - group of organ systems working together - group of individuals of same kind - all populations living in an area - community and its physical environment - region where life exists

all living organisms display levels of complexity

(The fundamental unit of life)

(A collection of specialized cells)

( A small group of joined atoms)

(A membrane bound structure within a complex cell)

(The smallest chemical unit of a type of pure substance or element)

(where life is possible)

(living and non living environment)

(All organisms in a given place & time) (A group of the same type of organism living in the same place and time)

(A living individual)

(Organs connected physically or Chemically that function together)

(A structure consisting of tissues organized to carry out specific functions)

THE CELL
CELL WALL non-living structure rigid made primarily of a substance called cellulose selectively permeable found only in plant cells functions are - protect contents of cell (injury) - regulate flow of materials in and out of cell

CELL MEMBRANE also called "plasma membrane" flexible structurally a phospholipid bi-layer head faces out and is "hydrophilic" tail faces in and is "hydrophobic" common to all living cells outermost membrane in all cells except plants (cell wall is) function -to regulate materials moving in and out of cell

FLAGELLA and CILIA flagellum is a long whip-like structure contractile proteins allow a corkscrew action functions in propulsion (ex. human sperm cell) cilium is a short hair-like structure contractile proteins move in a co-ordinated wave motion

is used for locomotion and moving materials

PROTOPLASM a "gel" in which all other organelles are suspended composition varies with different types of cells contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water, etc. it can be sub-divided into two types (by location) - nucleoplasm (in nucleus only) - cytoplasm (in the rest of the cell)

NUCLEUS usually the largest organelle is sac-like or spherical in shape usually only one nucleus per cell found - the central portion of the animal cell - off to one side in plant cells contains the genetic material functions - store house of genetic material - co-ordination centre for all cell activities NUCLEOLUS found in the nucleus oval or spherical bodies no outer membrane made up primarily of protein and RNA usually 1 to 4 per nucleus function -the synthesis of ribosomes

NUCLEAR MEMBRANE a double membrane surrounding the nucleus flexible selectively-permeable regulates materials going in and out of nucleus

CHROMATIN found in the nucleus long thin threads are acidic are given different names according to their shape - long thin threads - chromatin - short thick threads - chromosome function - carrier of genetic information

RIBOSOMES smallest natural structure in the cell made up of two spheres - large sub-unit (Ls) found on top - small sub-unit (Ss) found on bottom made up of RNA usually found attached to the endoplasmic reticulum when found free floating in cytoplasm called "endosomes" function -site of protein synthesis

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM hollow, tubular structure meanders through the cytoplasm connects the cell membrane to the nuclear membrane exists in two forms- smooth E.R. - no ribosomes attached - rough E.R. - ribosomes attached functions - site of internal transportation - site for chemical reactions - makes fats and carbohydrates

GOLGI APPARATUS usually a system of double layered flattened sacs lie one on top of the other found close to the nucleus functions -produces lysosomes -makes membranes -storage for lipids

LYSOSOMES single membrane varies in shape and size (pleomorphic) formed in the region of the golgi apparatus numbers per cell varies have three important functions - site of intra-cellular digestion - destruction of harmful chemicals - "autolysis" of damaged cells

MITOCHONDRION rod shaped structure double walled -outer wall - smooth and continuous -inner wall - highly convoluted - finger-like projections called "cristae" - "elementary particles" on top of crista - "lamella" is space between cristae number per cell varies greatly site of "aerobic respiration

CENTRIOLES tubular structure found in two arrangements -single tubule - centriole -double tubule - centrosome - 2 centrioles perpendicular to each other found only in animal cells are close to the nucleus two major functions: - with the production of cilia and flagella - "basal body" if embedded in cell membrane - assists in cell division

VACUOLES spherical structure found through out the cytoplasm animal cells - many small ones plant cells - few large ones generally they hold materials to be eliminated from the cell

GRANULAR INCLUSIONS smallest structure in the cell cell fragments found in cytoplasm (only in animal cells) function is unknown

MICROFILAMENTS pipe like structures found in the cytoplasm provide shape and movement for cell
MICROTUBULES tiny tube like fibres composed of protein found in cilia and flagella transport materials throughout the cytoplasm

Endocytosis the process by which the cell membrane wraps around a particle and pinches off a vesicle inside the cell

Exocytosis The process by which particles are released from a cell by fusing a particle filled vesicle off a vesicle with the cell membrane

Generalized Eukaryotic Cell