What are emergent properties?

Emergent properties refer to new characteristics that emerge at different levels of biological organization, which are not present at the lower levels. As complexity increases from simple molecules to cells, organs, and ultimately to ecosystems, unique traits and functionalities develop that couldn't be deduced merely by studying individual components alone. For instance, the behavior of a flock of birds cannot be understood by looking at a single bird; it emerges from the interactions between the birds as a collective.

This concept highlights the way in which systems operate holistically, emphasizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each level in the biological hierarchy—from atoms to molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, and ecosystems—demonstrates emergent properties that contribute to the overall functionality and adaptability of living systems.