Levels of Biological Organization: Bioelements & Biomolecules
Levels of Biological Organization
Subatomic Level: Includes subatomic particles that make up atoms (electrons, protons).
Atomic Level: Includes atoms that constitute our body. A bioelement is the set of atoms of the same type.
Molecular Level: Includes molecules and clusters of molecules, such as the cell membrane, composed of various types of cellular molecules.
Cellular Level: Includes cells and multicellular organelles.
Tissue Level: The level of organization of multicellular individuals, including tissues (structures formed by cells), the bodies, devices, and systems (set of organs).
Population Level: Comprises groups of individuals living in the same area at a specific time.
Ecosystem Level: Includes the set of relationships that exist between people and the environment.
Bioelements and Biomolecules
Bioelements: Are the elements that constitute living matter.
- Primary: 96% are (C) (O) (H) (N) (Sulfur) (P)
- Secondary: All other elements.
Biomolecules: Are the molecules that constitute living matter.
- Organic: Are those formed by C and H (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins)
- Inorganic: Not consisting of C and H (water and mineral salts)
Cellular Structures and Their Functions
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: Flat sacs that originate bound to the nuclear envelope and extend throughout the cytoplasm. Characterized by having many ribosomes attached. Function: stores and transports proteins synthesized by its ribosomes.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: Similar in form but with tubules that extend throughout the cytoplasm. No ribosomes are present. Function: synthesizes lipids and stores them, distributing them, along with proteins from the rough endoplasmic reticulum, throughout the cell.
Ribosomes: Structures formed by two globular subunits without a membrane that synthesize protein molecules.
Vacuoles: Membranous organelles, generally globular in shape, in which various kinds of substances are stored: water, nutrients, waste products, etc.
Golgi Apparatus: Membranous organelle made up of a series of flattened, disc-shaped sacs. Produces and receives and transports substances from the endoplasmic reticulum.
Lysosomes: Small vesicles originating from the Golgi apparatus containing digestive enzymes. Involved in the digestion of materials the cell ingests.
Mitochondria: Cylindrical organelles comprised of a double membrane, a smooth outer membrane, and an inner membrane with numerous folds. Function: performs cellular respiration.
Centrosome: Two cylindrical structures consisting of tubules.