Final answer:
Living things are structured hierarchically from atoms to the biosphere. Atoms form molecules, which combine to form organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Organisms make up populations, which form communities and ecosystems that make up the biosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Living things are highly organized and structured, following a hierarchy on a scale from small to large. The atom is the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. Atoms form molecules, which are chemical structures consisting of at least two atoms held together by a chemical bond. Many biologically important molecules are macromolecules, large molecules formed by combining smaller units called monomers. Examples of macromolecules include DNA.
In living organisms, molecules come together to create structures called organelles, which are small structures that exist within cells and perform specialized functions. Cells combine to form tissues, which are groups of similar cells carrying out the same function. Organs are collections of tissues that perform a common function. Organ systems are a higher level of organization that consists of functionally related organs. Organisms are individual living entities, while populations are groups of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. Communities are sets of populations inhabiting a common area. Ecosystems include all the living things in a particular area along with the nonliving parts of the environment. The biosphere encompasses all the ecosystems on Earth.