The correct hierarchical organization of life from the smallest to the largest scale is: **Cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems**.
Let's break it down:
- **Cells**: Cells are the basic units of life. They are the smallest structural and functional units that can carry out all the necessary functions of living organisms.
- **Tissues**: Cells of similar types come together and perform specific functions, forming tissues. Tissues are groups of cells that work together to carry out a particular function in the body.
- **Organs**: Organs are made up of different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ made up of cardiac muscle tissue, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
- **Organisms**: Organisms are individual living beings consisting of multiple organ systems working together. They can be single-celled (like bacteria) or multicellular (like humans).
- **Populations**: Populations refer to groups of individuals of the same species living in the same area and interacting with each other. For example, a population of deer living in a forest.
- **Communities**: Communities encompass all the different populations of organisms that live and interact with each other within a specific area. For instance, a community could include populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a particular ecosystem.
- **Ecosystems**: Ecosystems involve both the living organisms (communities) and the non-living components of a particular environment. This includes air, water, soil, and other physical factors. An ecosystem can be a forest, a lake, or even a small pond.
So, in summary, the correct hierarchical organization of life from the smallest to the largest scale is: **Cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems**.