Essential Knowledge 4.B.2

Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.

Organisms have areas or compartments that perform a subset of functions related to energy and matter, and these parts contribute to the whole. At the cellular level, the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and, for eukaryotes, the organelles contribute to the overall specialization and functioning of the cell. Within multicellular organisms, specialization of organs contributes to the overall functioning of the organism. Examples include:

• Exchange of gases
• Circulation of fluids
• Digestion of food
• Excretion of wastes

Interactions among cells of a population of unicellular organisms can be similar to those of multicellular organisms, and these interactions lead to increased efficiency and utilization of energy and matter. Examples include:

• Bacterial community in the rumen of animals
• Bacterial community in and around deep sea vents

Students should be able to:

LO 4.18 use representations and models to analyze how cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.