Systems

• All levels of life have systems of related parts.• A system is an organized group of related parts

that interact to form a whole.• Task: With your tablemate, write down one

example of a system and explain why you think it is a system.

Examples of Systems

Systems in Biology

• Systems can be as small as atoms and molecules to as big as the universe.– Systems have boundaries• E.g. Human skin that surrounds and holds together our

internal organs.

– Systems have inputs and outputs• matter and energy coming into and of the system

boundaries

Levels of Organization in BiologyAll levels of biology contain systems.

Atom Molecule Cell Tissue Organ Organ Systems

Organism Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere

ECOLOGY

The Biosphere

• The thin layer of earth and it’s atmosphere that supports life.– 8 km up and 10 km down from

sea level.

• Made up of all the earth’s ecosystems combined – living and non living factors– contain a finite limited supply

of certain resources and living species.

Systems

• Systems are a unifying theme in biology. We will be talking about it all year long.

• Exit Slip: What 3 ways is a cell a system?