What term describes a collection of tissues that performs a particular function or set of functions in an organism?

• A. Tissue
• B. Organ
• C. Cell
• D. System

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how biological structures are organized. Cells form tissues, tissues combine into organs, and organs group into organ systems. A tissue is a collection of similar cells with a common function. A single cell is the basic unit of life. An organ is a structure made of multiple tissue types that work together to perform a specific function or set of functions. The heart, for example, uses muscle tissue to contract and other tissues to support and coordinate its action, all working as a unit to pump blood. That coordinating function across different tissues defines it as an organ. A system, by contrast, is a higher level—the togetherness of multiple organs performing broad tasks like circulation or digestion. So the term for a collection of tissues that performs a particular function is organ.