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Biosphere
The highest level of
organization is the biosphere,
which is the layer of Earth from
high in the atmosphere to deep
in the ocean that supports life.
Biome
A biome is a group of ecosystems,
such as the coral reefs o the coast of the
Florida Keys, that share the same climate
and have similar types of communities.
Ecosystem
A
biological community,
such as the coral reef,
and all of the abiotic
factors, such as the
sea water, that a ect it
make up an
ecosystem.
Biological community
All of the populations
of species fishes,
coral, and marine
plants that live in the
same place at the
same time make up a
biological community.
Population
A group of
organisms of the same
species that interbreed
and live in the same
place at the same time,
such as the school of
striped fish, is a
population.
Organism
An
individual living thing,
such as one striped
fish, is an organism.
Organism
Population
Biological
community
Ecosystem
Figure 7
Visualizing Levels of Organization
In order to study relationships within the biosphere, it is divided into smaller levels of
organization. The simplest level of organization is the organism, with increasing
complexity shown in the population, biological community, ecosystem, and biome
until reaching the most complex level of biosphere.
Lesson 1 • Organisms and Their Relationships
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