# Explain why the small intestine is considered an organ rather than a tissue.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 2.1 Levels of organisation · Explain · 4 marks

> The human digestive system contains many structures that carry out specific functions. One of these structures, the small intestine, is involved in both the digestion and absorption of food.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. A tissue is a group of cells with a similar structure and function
2. An organ is an aggregation of tissues performing a specific function
3. The small intestine contains more than one type of tissue, e.g. muscle tissue / epithelial tissue / nervous tissue
4. These different tissues work together so the small intestine performs a specific function (digestion / absorption of food)

## Key terms

- [tissue](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/tissue)
- [organ](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/organ)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-small-intestine-is-66e0cebd) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.