Levels of Organisation in Living Organisms

Introduction

Living organisms are structured in a hierarchical manner, from the simplest to the most complex. Understanding these levels helps us appreciate how life is organized and functions.

Levels of Organisation

• Cell: The basic unit of life. Cells can be single-celled organisms like bacteria or part of multicellular organisms like humans.
• Tissue: A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function. For example, muscle tissue helps in movement.
• Organ: Made up of different tissues working together to perform a specific task. The heart, for example, pumps blood throughout the body.
• System: A group of organs that work together to carry out complex functions. For instance, the digestive system processes food for energy.

Examples

Example 1: In humans, the respiratory system includes organs like the lungs and trachea, which work together to facilitate breathing.

Example 2: In plants, the vascular system includes xylem and phloem tissues that transport water and nutrients.