Which term refers to a structure composed of tissues performing a specific task?

• A. Tendon
• B. Organ System
• C. Organ
• D. Cartilage

Answer: (C)

Structures formed by different tissues that work together to perform a specific function are called organs. An organ houses multiple tissue types—such as epithelial lining, connective tissue, muscle, and sometimes nerve tissue—and these tissues coordinate to carry out a specialized task, like the heart pumping blood or the liver processing nutrients. A tendon, by contrast, is a single tissue type (dense connective tissue) that connects muscle to bone and doesn’t form a functional unit on its own. Cartilage is another tissue type that supports and cushions joints rather than constituting a standalone functional unit. An organ system is a broader level, consisting of multiple organs that collaborate to perform overarching physiological roles, such as digestion or circulation.