What term refers to an arrangement of parts that work together to carry out a function, commonly used in engineering and biology?

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

Answer: (D)

A system is a coordinated collection of parts that work together to accomplish a function. In biology, the body is organized into organ systems, each made of multiple organs and tissues that collaborate to perform essential tasks, like the digestive system processing nutrients or the circulatory system moving blood. In engineering, a system similarly refers to the arrangement of components and subsystems designed to achieve a goal, such as a vehicle system that integrates engine, transmission, brakes, and electronics to operate the car. The other terms point to smaller, individual units: a cell is the basic unit of life; an organ is a structure made of tissues that performs a specific function within a system; an organelle is a specialized structure inside a cell. Therefore, the term that best fits an arrangement of parts working together to carry out a function, across both fields, is system.