Levels of Organisation
In the Animal Kingdom, organisms exhibit various levels of organization that are crucial for classifying animals. Despite all being multicellular, the arrangement and complexity of cells differ significantly across species.
- Cellular Level: In sponges (Phylum Porifera), the cells are arranged in loose aggregates forming a basic cellular level of organization with minimal division of labor among cells.
- Tissue Level: Coelenterates, like jellyfish, display a more complex tissue level organization where similar cells aggregate to perform a common function.
- Organ Level: In groups such as Platyhelminthes, tissues group together to form organs, marking a higher level of complexity. Each organ performs specific functions crucial for survival.
- Organ System Level: Animals like annelids and chordates demonstrate organ system levels, wherein organs work together in systems—like digestive, circulatory, and reproductive systems—to support life functions.
The discussion includes practical examples such as:
- The digestive system in Platyhelminthes is incomplete, having a single opening that serves as both mouth and anus.
- The circulatory system can be open or closed. For instance, in arthropods, the circulatory system is of the open type, while in vertebrates, it is closed.
Understanding these levels is essential for animal classification and reveals the evolutionary relationships among various species in the animal kingdom.