| Tissues Into Organs |
An organ is a structure
that performs a specific
function for the body.
To be considered an
organ it must be
composed of at least
two tissue types (all
four tissue types is
more common). At the
organ level, extremely
complex functions
become possible.
that performs a specific
function for the body.
To be considered an
organ it must be
composed of at least
two tissue types (all
four tissue types is
more common). At the
organ level, extremely
complex functions
become possible.
| The human heart, an amazing organ. |
Let’s take the stomach
for an example. Its
lining is made up of
epithelial tissues that
also produce digestive
juices; the bulk of its
wall is muscle which
churns and mixes
stomach contents
(food); its connective
tissue reinforces the
soft muscular walls
and keep it situated in
the right place in the
abdomen; and its
nervous fibres
increase digestive
activity by stimulating
the muscle to contract
more vigourously and
the glands to secrete
more digestive juices.
for an example. Its
lining is made up of
epithelial tissues that
also produce digestive
juices; the bulk of its
wall is muscle which
churns and mixes
stomach contents
(food); its connective
tissue reinforces the
soft muscular walls
and keep it situated in
the right place in the
abdomen; and its
nervous fibres
increase digestive
activity by stimulating
the muscle to contract
more vigourously and
the glands to secrete
more digestive juices.
| Interrelationships between cells to tissues and tissues to organs, using the human stomach as an example. from: Mudie, K. & Brotherton, J. (2000). Heinemann Biology, Heinemann. |
The brain, the heart, and your lungs are all very
different from the stomach but are all organs as
well. You can think of each organ in the body as a
specialised functional centre responsible for a
necessary activity that no other organ can perform.
different from the stomach but are all organs as
well. You can think of each organ in the body as a
specialised functional centre responsible for a
necessary activity that no other organ can perform.
| Factual information contained on this page: Marieb, E. N. (1998). Human Anatomy & Physiology. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing. |
| Human lungs, another example of an organ. from: Anatomical Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland. |
| You've lucked out! There's no "Check Your Knowledge" for this section! Please continue on to the Cancer section. |
| University of Canberra IT and Education Nick Moss & Greg Tompos October 2005 |
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| The human brain. |
| from: www.csm.ornl.gov/SC99/brain.jpg |
| from: asm.wku.edu/courses/Biol115/Wyatt/Anatomy/Heart/heart3.htm |