The Catalyst Perspectives Group
Cellular Organization: An Overview
The Premise
Living things are comprised of cells. An individual cell performs an assortment of basic functions that are essential for life. Some living things are comprised of multiple cells. In multi-cellular organisms, the cells are specialized to perform specific functions. However, collectively, the cells of a multi-cellular organism perform all the functions that are essential for life.
The employees of an organization can be thought of as the cells of a living thing. A simple organization comprised of one individual must be able to perform all the functions that are needed. By contrast, an organization comprised of many individuals can have specialized functions performed by different assemblages of individuals. And yet, collectively, the employees of a multi-person organization must perform all of the functions that are needed to allow the organization to perform and prosper.
The Process
The essays in this section will consider:
- Don't be embarrassed...everybody does it. --- Whether unicellular or multi-cellular there are basic functions of life that must be performed by any living thing for it to survive. These functions are analogous to organizational-functions and similarly essential for organizational survival. How well is your organization performing these required functions?
- Must I do everything? --- The first living things were single cells and this form of life has evolved to become an integral part of and found virtually everywhere in nature. This diversity includes extremophiles that live in extreme environments, such as thermal ocean vents, hot springs, polar ice, and frozen tundra. If your organization is unicellular, are you able and willing to do all that is required to function? If not, what are your chances for survival?
- Go Team! Go, Go, Go!!! --- Multi-cellular organisms can be larger and more complex because they are comprised of groups of specialized cells that perform specific functions. Is your organization large enough to need and performing well enough to support the specialized functions that you have?
- But, It's Not Really Alive? --- While possessing some but, lacking "all" of the characteristics that are generally accepted as being essential for a living thing, viruses are thought of as something that is between living and non-living. And yet, from an evolutionary perspective, it is quite clear that viruses have had and continue to play a significant role in the evolution of living things. Can an organization that lacks all the characteristics of an organization even exist in the realm between living and non-living?
Don't be embarrassed...everybody does it.
The Premise
A: The basic functions that must be performed by any living thing to survive.
Q: What are...keep the inside stuff in, the outside stuff out, transform energy, manage everything and replicate?
Any and all unicellular or multicellular organism must perform the same basic functions to survive. These essential functions include transforming energy to fuel living-processes, managing all these processes and self-replication.
Every organization, from a one person operation to a large corporation with thousands of employees, must perform a vital few functions effectively to ensure its survival. Most activities for any organization are associated with the ability to acquire and transform monetary energy. When compared with the energy acquisition and use for any living thing, organizations don't have the benefit of billions of years of evolution! Frequently, these energy acquiring processes have been or still are being developed by the organization itself and have yet to be fully tested in the selective milieu of the market place.
How well is your organization performing the most vital functions required to sustain it?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.
Must I do everything?
The Premise
A: Specialized functions that may need to be be performed by some single cell organisms.
Q: What are...motility, photosynthesis, conjugation and water balance?
Arguably, unicellular organizations are the most successful form of living things. They have been around for billions of years and remain an integral part of ecosystems today.
If your organization is a single person operation...there are many functions that you must perform. If you aren't...you better have figured out why you can do without or have find another source.
Do you have the right selection and a sustainable balance of your activities or are you carrying too big a load and are doomed for failure?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.
Go Team! Go, Go, Go!!!
The Premise
A: Key functions performed by specialized systems of cells in multicellular animals because of the size and complexity of the organism.
Q: What are... the neurological & sensory, skeletal & muscular, endocrine, immune & lymphatic, digestive & excretory, and circulatory systems?
Although it is a different form of living thing responding to many different selective pressures, multicellular plants are also composed of organs, tissues, and cells with highly specialized functions performed by two distinct organ systems (i.e., shoot, root).
As organizations grow, they can and must differentiate to be able to perform the full breadth of functions required. These functions may change as the organization grows and during the business cycle inherent in that industry. This growth and specialization must be done in a coordinated and integrated manner and commensurate with the overall ability of the organization to secure the resources it needs.
When do you need a specialist to do something? Does your Jack of all trades approach mean you really know jack about the approach that's really needed for your trade?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.
But, It's Not Really Alive?
The Premise
A: They are not self-replicating or self-sustaining but, they can evolve and create conditions that replicates their genes.
Q: Why are viruses not exactly a living thing but, clearly not a non-living thing?
One could argue that all a virus is, is the message that describes what it is. A virus that is better able to share the message of what it is will survive, be replicated and continue to evolve.
Does an organization actually exist if all it can do is promulgate the essence of what it is by directing the actions of others to express that message?
Readers' comments
Is the topic for this essay one that you are interested in? If yes, please let me know and I'll push it up the "to do" list and finish the essay for posting.
Of course, to make this a discussion, the reader (aka you) will need to offer your perspective. I'll add your comments directly to this section of the essay (or correct or edit other parts as needed). I'll take the liberty to edit lightly if appropriate and will include your contact information to encourage continued discussion.