Ecology: biology of interaction. I-12. (supplement) Universal properties of biosystems
Despite specificity of biosystems at different levels, a set of universal properties can be identified: ordered composition, hierarchy, metabolism, information continuity and variability, individuality, and capacity for reproduction/self-renewal across levels.
I-12. (supplement) Universal properties of biosystems
Despite all specificity of biosystems at different levels, a number of universal properties can be distinguished.
Ordered composition and structure. All biosystems are characterized by high order that can be maintained only through internal processes. Biosystems above molecular level include specific organic substances, some inorganic compounds, and large amounts of water. Cellular order appears in a specific set of cellular components; biogeocoenosis order appears in functional groups of organisms and associated abiotic environment.
Hierarchical organization. As discussed in section I-03, life manifests simultaneously at many organizational levels, each with its own features.
Metabolism is the most important...
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Individuality. All biosystems, beginning from cellular level, are unique and differ from analogous systems. Even organisms with identical hereditary information (monozygotic twins and other clones) have unique individuality depending on infinitely diverse environmental effects and self-regulation during development.
Capacity for reproduction ensures persistence of life over time. Biomolecules are synthesized by cells; cells (and even some eukaryotic cell structures) reproduce by division. At organismal level, reproduction maintains continuity. Succession of generations at organismal (and cellular) level is ensured by heredity, while capacity for evolution is ensured by variability. Reproduction of populations, biogeocoenoses (and perhaps biosphere) is ensured not only by organismal reproduction, but also by dispersal capacity.