Download Organization of Living Things Content from State Frameworks

Organization of Living Things Content from State Frameworks
Levels of Cellular Organization
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Levels of cellular organization serve the needs of cells for obtaining oxygen and food, and
removing wastes
Differences and similarities exist within the structures and functions among the six
kingdoms of life
Structure and Function of Cells
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All living organisms are made of cells, and most organisms have specialized cells that
perform different functions. Thus, most organisms have many types of cells.
Still, there are some similarities between all animal cells, just as there are some
similarities between all plant cells. Animal cells have organelles such as a nucleus, cell
membrane, and mitochondria. Plant cells have all of the organelles listed for animal cells,
plus the presence of chloroplasts where photosynthesis takes place, cell walls that give
the plant cell more structure, and a large central vacuole that stores water (also proteins
and/or crystals) and helps give the plant rigidity. (The use of cell wall and central vacuole
are for the purposes of comparing plant and animal cells. Focus for standard S7L2 is still
on the organelles listed.)
Most cells are too small to see with the naked eye, but with the aid of a microscope, many
can be viewed.
Cells come in various shapes and sizes depending upon their function
Some organisms consist of a single cell that can carry out all life processes needed for
survival
Some organisms consist of a single cell, while others are composed of cells and tissues
only. Not all organisms have organs or body systems.
Cell parts are interdependent
When cells cease to function adequately, it can ultimately affect the ability of an organism
to function adequately
Levels of cellular organization (cells – tissues – organs – systems – organism)
Cells are 90% water. The rest of the present molecules are: 50% protein, 15%
carbohydrate, 15% nucleic acid, 10% lipid, 10% others
By elements, a cell’s composition by mass is: 10% Hydrogen, 63% Oxygen, 20% Carbon,
3% Nitrogen, and 4% other trace elements such as iron, calcium, etc.
Nucleus – organelle that controls/directs the functions within the cell and contains DNA
Mitochondria – organelle that breaks down materials and releases energy into the cell
Cytoplasm – organelle made of gel-like material that contains water and nutrients for the
cell
Cell membrane – organelle that forms the boundary of the cell and controls what comes in
and goes out of the cell
Chloroplast – organelle found in cells that contains chlorophyll and uses light energy to
make food for the cell
Organization of Living Things Content from State Frameworks
Cells Take in Nutrients (Cell Processes)
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Osmosis – Water moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration
Active Transport – Passing of a material through a protein doorway from an area of low
concentration to an area of high concentration
Endocytosis – The process by which the cell membrane envelops material that is too
large to pass through the membrane and then pinches off inside the cell
Passive Transport – Passing of material through a protein doorway from an area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration
Exocytosis – The process by which the cell membrane removes material that is too large
to pass through the membrane by surrounding by a membrane within the cell and then
expelling it by pushing it out of the cell
All organisms must carry out certain life processes in order to survive (energy, respiration,
waste removal)
Substances needed by the cell as well as waste materials must cross the cell membrane
Reproduction
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Common methods by which organisms reproduce asexually (i.e. budding, fission,
regeneration)
Organization of Living Things Content from State Frameworks
Systems of the Body
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Each cell works as part of a larger unit to perform some function for the organism
(excretion, digestion, respiration, circulation, movement, protection from disease, etc.)
Functions of the major organ systems and relationships that exists make one system
dependent on another to function properly.
Differences in the structure of various members of the 6 kingdoms may exist but each
organism’s body must perform the same basic functions and therefore have systems with
similar components
Organ systems perform different jobs and must work together to keep the organism alive
All organ systems are important and if one becomes sick, all are effected
The brain and nervous system are responsible for every action taken by another organ
system
Even though they have differing jobs, each cell is a living entity, even in multi-cellular
organisms
Cells that have similar functions make up an organ, which in turn has a special function
for the organism
Every movement and/or action taken by one organ system directly affects other organ
systems. Cellular energy is required by all cells that make up all systems in order for
these movements/actions to take place.
Processes carried out by individual cells directly correlate to the performance of an
organism’s tissues and organ systems.
Actions/movements made by the organ systems are critical for sustaining the life of the
organism
There are similar organ systems and structures in almost all multicellular organisms of the
same kingdom that provide similar functions for those organism
Discussion prompts/answers to use: How does your body know that you have eaten
something and it needs to begin digestion? Chemical messages are sent from the
stomach to the brain via the nervous system. How do you know you are full? Chemical
messages are sent from the stomach to the brain via the nervous system. How does the
contents of your stomach get broken down smaller? Muscles lining the stomach break up
food with the help of digestive enzymes. How do the substances that you do not need get
removed from your body? They are excreted either from the large intestine (solids) or as
urine (liquids)
Any illness begins at the cellular level
Disease and illness come from a variety of sources, including the environment, genetics,
exposure to others, etc.
Illness compromises the body’s ability to meet the basic needs of nutrition, energy
conversion, and waste removal