Describe how blood is an example of a tissue, and explain how blood vessels and the heart work together as part of an organ system.

AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.2.2 Animal tissues, organs and organ systems · Describe and Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Blood is a tissue because it is a group of cells with a similar structure and function. It contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Blood vessels and the heart are organs that work together to form an organ system. The heart pumps blood around the body, and the system carries out the function of transporting substances around the body.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word "tissue" and list the four blood components; mention the heart and vessels as organs; state the heart’s pumping action and the system’s transport role.
  • Keep the answer concise – 4 marks can be earned with two short sentences.
  • Use correct UK spelling (e.g. "organism").

Common mistakes

  • Writing that blood is a fluid rather than a tissue; forgetting to list all blood components; confusing the heart with the blood vessels alone; using vague terms like "carry" without explaining the pumping action.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Blood is a tissue because it is a group of cells with a similar structure and function
  2. Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
  3. Blood vessels and the heart are organs that work together / are grouped together to form an organ system
  4. The heart pumps blood around the body / the organ system carries out the function of transporting substances around the body

Key terms in this question

tissue · organ · organ system · blood

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