Ryan+de+Vries

__**What is an organism?**__ An "organism" is an individual form of life, such as plants, animals, protist, bacterium, or fungi. It is a body made up of organs, organelles, or other parts that work together to carry on the various processes of life.

Read more: [|http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_an_organism#ixzz1SnBDUvpx] So basically a living thing that can take care of itself and has body parts that work togerher to sustain life.

=__**History of science:**__= __**How did early civilizations explain boilogical diversity?**__ Early philosophers believd that the huge variety of organisms that exist on earth were created by a supreme being (eg. a God) and that they were IMMUTABLE (they could not change).

__**CLASSIFICATION**__ The process of organising organisms into groups based on predetrmined criteria is called classification. The classification of living things is said to be strong, multilevel classification is strong because the scheme gives predictable results. Multilevel because major groupings may be further subdivided into smaller, sub groups. The criteria we use to asign organisms to groups is the closeness of the evolutionary relationships between members of the group. This is usually observed by looking at the number of fetures shared by organisms when we compare them. Features that might be used when looking to group organisms could include, 1. Physical structure (eg anatomy of bones, teeth, organs ext). 2. Biochemestry (eg protine similaraties). 3. Manner of development. 4. Behavioural charactoristics 5. Similaraties in DNA.

__**5 Main kingdons of organisms:**__ Bellow is my description on the 5 kindgoms of life. It includes properties, basic information and what is required to be put in that kingdom.

__**Hierarchies of Organisms**__ Organisms have the following levels of organisation. 1. **Atoms**: A unit of matter, the smallest unit of an element, consisting of a dense, central, positively charged nucleus surrounded by a system of electrons. Eg Hydrogen 2. **Molocules**: 2 or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Eg H2O 3. **Cells**: The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, and has one or more nuclei. Eg Epithelial cell 4. **Tissues**: An organisation of cells and an organism formed together to performe specific tasks. Eg Epithelial tissue 5. **Organs**: A group of tissues that perform specific functions. Eg Lungs 6. **Organ systems**: A group of organs working together to perform different tasks. Eg Circulatory system

__**Adaptations:**__ 1. Example of an adaptation and how it helps- Amimals that dig underground tunnels have adapted and created claws to help the digging process. E.g. The wombat 2. 3 examples of structural adaptations - Shark teeth, being very sharp to rip up the prey and break bones with its teeth. - Meerkats having sharp claws to dig in rocky terain such as the desert. - Fish fins to help them swim. 3. 3 examples of behavioural adaptations - The way certain plants turn to the sun to help photosynthesis. - Humans putting on a jumper or more layers when its cold and visa versa (taking of layers) - Elephants being very protective of there young getting very agressive when anything gets near. 4. Jack rabbits, Bilbies and Fennec foxes all have big ears, this is so they can lose heat through there ears, most heat is lost through the head and ears and with all these 3 animals having big ears they can lose heat easily.

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@Ryans Glossary