Organization of the Human Body
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
• Describe the structure of the human body in terms of six levels of organization
• List the eleven organ systems of the human body and identify at least one organ and one major function of each
Before you begin to study the different structures and functions of the human body, it is helpful to consider its basic
architecture; that is, how its smallest parts are assembled into larger structures. It is convenient to consider the structures of
the body in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules,
organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms and biosphere.
The Levels of Organization
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles,
atoms and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements,
familiar examples of which are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. The smallest unit of any of these
pure substances (elements) is an atom. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron and neutron.
Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things.
Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.
A cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism. Even bacteria, which are extremely small,
independently-living organisms, have a cellular structure. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human
anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells.
A human cell typically consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm, a water-based cellular fluid together with
a variety of tiny functioning units called organelles. In humans, as in all organisms, cells perform all functions of life. A tissue is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform
a specific function. An organ is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each
organ performs one or more specific physiological functions. An organ system is a group of organs that work together to
perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body.
The organism level is the highest level of organization. An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that
can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multicellular organisms, including humans, all
cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.
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