Explain how cells, tissues, and organs are related to each other in a multicellular organism. Use an example of a named tissue and a named organ in your answer.

AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.2.1 Principles of organisation · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

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

Model answer (4 marks)

A tissue is a group of cells that have a similar structure and function. An organ is a collection of different tissues that work together to perform a specific function. For example, muscle tissue is a tissue, and the heart is an organ that contains muscle tissue and carries out the function of pumping blood.

Examiner tips

Use the exact terms ‘tissue’ and ‘organ’ and state their definitions first.
Give a clear example of a tissue and then a matching organ that contains it.
Show the logical link between the tissue and the organ.
Keep the answer concise to fit the 4‑mark limit.

Common mistakes

Using a non‑organ example such as a cell or a whole organism as the organ.
Failing to name a specific tissue or organ.
Mixing up the definition of tissue and organ.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

A tissue is a group of cells with a similar structure and function
An organ is an aggregation/collection of tissues that performs a specific function
Correct named example of a tissue (e.g. muscle tissue, palisade mesophyll, xylem, phloem, spongy mesophyll, blood)
Correct named organ that logically links to or contains the named tissue (e.g. heart contains muscle tissue; leaf contains palisade mesophyll)

Key terms in this question

cell · tissue · organ