organisms

(noun)

An organism is any contiguous living system (such as animal, fungus, micro-organism, or plant). In at least some form, all types of organisms are capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth and development, and maintenance of homeostasis as a stable whole.

Related Terms

Examples of organisms in the following topics:

  • Levels of Organization

    • Living organisms are made up of four levels of organization: cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
    • An organism is made up of four levels of organization: cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
    • Most organs contain tissues such as parenchyma (used to perform the organ functions),  stroma (connective tissue specific to organs) and epithelial.
    • An organ system is a collection of organs that that work together to perform a similar function.
    • An organism contains organ systems made up of organs that consist of tissues, which are in turn made up of cells.

  • Organ Transplants

    • Organ transplantation involves moving organs between bodies (or from donor sites on patients' bodies) for the purpose of replacing recipients' damaged or absent organs.
    • Tissue transplants occur much more frequently than organ transplants.
    • Organ donors may be living or brain dead.
    • Organ trafficking is one problem.
    • Organ transplants are not regulated by the FDA.

  • Plant Tissues and Organ Systems

  • Formal Structure

    • Formal structure of an organization or group includes a fixed set of rules for intra-organization procedures and structures.
    • Practical experience shows no organization is ever completely rule-bound: all real organizations represent some mix of formal and informal characteristics.
    • Tended effectively, the informal organization complements the more explicit structures, plans, and processes of the formal organization.
    • This deviation was referred to as informal organization.
    • A formal organization is a fixed set of rules of intra-organization procedures and structures.

  • Flat versus tall organizations

    • By definition, a small business is typically a flat, centralized organization.
    • Flat organizations follow the decentralized approach, or organic system.
    • More decisions are made at the middle levels of the organization.
    • Internally, the organization as a whole encourages more participation between all levels of the organization.
    • A tall structure is a more formal, bureaucratic organization or mechanistic system.

  • Tissues in Levels of Organization

    • The next level is the organ system level.
    • Many organs working together to accomplish a common purpose create an organ system.
    • Cells form tissues, and tissues form organs.
    • Organs that fulfill related functions are called organ systems.
    • An organism is made up of interconnected organ systems.

  • Layers in an Organization: Tall vs Flat Organizations

    • A tall organization is a more formal bureaucratic or mechanistic organizational structure and management system.
    • Tall organizations have several tiers in their structural hierarchy and multiple levels of management control with regard to the daily operations of the organization.
    • Flat organizations follow the decentralized approach or organic system of organization and management.
    • Internally, the organization as a whole encourages more participation between all levels within the organization, promoting closer working relationships that potentially lead to better communication and creativity.
    • Various factors, both internal (i.e. management style, culture, etc.) and external (i.e. competition, regulation, etc.) to the organization, influence what type of structure an organization assumes.

  • Development of Human Resources

    • Human resources development (HRD) as a theory is a framework for the expansion of human capital within an organization through the development of both the organization and the individual to achieve performance improvement.
    • Groups within organizations use HRD to initiate and manage change.
    • Organization development (OD), empowering the organization to take advantage of its human resource capital.
    • TD alone can leave an organization unable to tap into the increase in human, knowledge, or talent capital.
    • HRD does not occur without the organization, so the practice of HRD within an organization is inhibited or promoted upon the platform of the organization's mission, vision, and values.

  • Growth Terminology

    • This reduction process forms an organic compound that stores chemical energy.
    • Autotrophs, and their formation of organic compounds, are an important component of the food chain because they produce the food necessary for larger, more complex organisms to grow.
    • Chemoautotrophs are thought to be the first organisms to inhabit earth.
    • A heterotroph is an organism that, unlike an autotroph, cannot fix carbon and uses organic carbon for growth.
    • These organisms use inorganic energy sources or organic energy sources to sustain life.

  • Circumventricular Organs

    • Circumventricular organs are situated adjacent to the brain ventricles and sense concentrations of various compounds in the blood.
    • These organs secrete or are sites of action of a variety of different hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines.
    • These organs secrete or are sites of action of a variety of different hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines.
    • These organs include:
    • Vascular organ of lamina terminalis: Responsible for the homeostatic conservation of osmolarity.