Think neurons in a nervous system: passing on electrochemical signals. From the perspective of a single neuron or a small group of them not that much is happening.
Now, bees in a beehive or ants in an anthill – pretty much the same deal as the neurons. One ant to another – just doing a simple job. Taken as a whole though – it’s quite a happening.
These beehives and these anthills and these people are then parts in a larger system. An ecological system.