Muscle is a tissue found in the wall of the stomach. The stomach works together with other organs such as the pancreas and small intestine. State what is meant by the term 'tissue' and explain why the stomach is described as an organ rather than a tissue.
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 perform a similar function.
The stomach is made up of several different tissues – for example, muscle tissue, mucous membrane tissue and connective tissue.
These tissues work together to carry out the stomach’s function of mixing and partially digesting food.
An organ is an aggregation of different tissues that together perform a specific function. Because the stomach contains multiple tissues that cooperate to perform a function, it is an organ rather than a single tissue.
The stomach is made up of several different tissues – for example, muscle tissue, mucous membrane tissue and connective tissue.
These tissues work together to carry out the stomach’s function of mixing and partially digesting food.
An organ is an aggregation of different tissues that together perform a specific function. Because the stomach contains multiple tissues that cooperate to perform a function, it is an organ rather than a single tissue.
Examiner tips
- Define tissue correctly – cells with similar structure and function. Explain the stomach’s composition – list at least two tissue types. Show that tissues work together for a function. State the definition of an organ and link it to the stomach’s multi‑tissue structure.
Common mistakes
- Using ‘tissue’ to mean the whole stomach, or confusing tissue with organ. Failing to mention more than one tissue type. Giving a vague or incorrect definition of organ (e.g., saying it’s any body part).
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- A tissue is a group of cells with a similar structure and function
- The stomach contains more than one type of tissue / is made up of different tissues
- These different tissues work together to perform a specific function
- An organ is an aggregation of tissues performing specific functions, so the stomach (having multiple tissues with a specific function) meets this definition / whereas a tissue is only one type of cell
Key terms in this question
Related
- All Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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