The difference between tissue and organ can be explained as that tissue is a cluster of cells which are working together while the organ is a cluster of tissues working together.
A number of cells compile up to form tissue while a number of tissues compile up to form an organ which performs specific functions in the body. Tissues perform simple tasks in the body
while organs perform complex tasks. Since organs are larger in size, so the require more energy to perform their function. It is necessary for a tissue to have the same type of cells while it is necessary for an organ to have the same type of tissues.
If any tear or damage occurs in tissues, they can be regenerated and healed by the process of fibrosis. Since organs are composed of tissues, they are also able to be healed and repaired by the
process of regeneration and fibrosis. Different tissues perform different functions like epithelial tissues protect skin, muscle tissues contract and relax and nervous tissues cause the conduction of nerve impulses. Different organs perform different specialized functions in the body like heart pumps blood, lungs perform the function of breathing, stomach causes digestion of food and brain causes the process of thinking, decision making and controlling of body functions.
Morphological detail of tissues can be seen with a microscope while organs can be seen with the naked eye. Tissues do not have any specific shape while organs have a well defined shape. Manyorgans which work together, join to form an organ system.
Organs can be viewed grossly while special staining is done for the study of tissues. Usual stains used in the laboratories are hematoxylin and eosin.
There are three types of tissues in plants, i.e. epidermis tissues, ground tissues and vascular tissues. While the organs present in plants are stem, root and leaves. The study of tissues is called histology for animals and human tissues while the study of tissues of plants is called plan anatomy. The study of organs of plants is called plants morphology.
An organ is apparently larger than tissue because it is composed of a number of tissues. Tissue form the 2nd level in the structural division while organ forms the 3rd level in the
structural division.
Comparison Chart
| Basis | Tissue | Organ |
| Definition | The tissue is the collection of similar type of cells and extracellular matrix. | An organ is composed of a similar type of tissues which perform the same function. |
| The level in the structural division | Tissue form the 2nd level in the structural division. | Organ form 3rd level in the structural division. |
| Can be seen | Tissues need a microscope to be seen. |
Organs can be viewed by the naked eye. |
| Energy requirement | Tissue need less energy for their functions. | Organs need more amount of energy for their functions. |
| Need for staining |
Tissues need special stain for their complete examination. |
Organs do not need any stain for their complete examination. |
| Function | Tissues perform simple functions in the body. | Organs perform complex functions in the body. |
| Study of tissue and organ | The study of tissues is called histology for animal tissues and plant anatomy for plant tissues. |
The study of organs is called plant morphology for plant organs. |
| Examples of human tissues and organs | Example of human tissues is epithelial tissues, connective tissues, muscular tissues, neuronal tissues and cardiac tissues. | Example of human organs is skin, liver, heart, kidneys, stomach, small and largeintestines and brain. |
| Examples of plant tissues and organs | Examples of plant tissues are epidermis tissues, ground tissues and vascular tissues. |
Examples of plant organs are root, stem and leaves. |
What is a tissue?
A tissue is actually the cluster of a similar type of cells grouped together which perform a similar type of functions. Study of tissues is called histology for human or animal tissues while the study of plant tissues is called plant anatomy. Study of tissues needs a microscope. An electron microscope shows more details of a tissue specimen. Tissue study requires a special type of staining in the laboratory. Commonly used stains are Hematoxylin and eosin stains, Giemsa stains and sudan black stains. Tissues need energy in the form of ATP for their functions. Types
of tissues in the human body are following
- Connective
Tissue
They connect the different groups of organs and tissues with each other. They are the most abundant tissues in our body. They provide support and protection to the organs.
- Nervous
Tissue
These tissues are found in the central and peripheral nervous system. Nervous tissues cause the conduction of nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Loss of nervous tissues causes many diseases, for example, Alzheimer’s disease which causes memory loss, mood swings and confusion.
- Epithelial
Tissue
Epithelial tissues cover the entire skin and linings of the internal body cavities. They protect the surface underneath and also cause secretions and absorptions of fluids.
- Muscular
Tissue
All the muscles of the body are made up of muscular tissues. They cause contraction and relaxation of muscles and hence play a role in movements of limbs, pumping of heart and GIT
motility.
What is an Organ?
An organ is composed of a number of tissues of similar type which are grouped together to perform a specialized function in the body. Stomach, heart, kidney, skin, brain and pancreas are examples of organs. Two or more organs performing a similar type of functions join to form an organ system. Organs can be viewed by the naked eye. Organs present in plants are stem, leaves and root. Study of organs of plants is called plant morphology.
Organs occupy a larger surface area than tissues and require a greater amount of energy in the form of ATP than tissues. Many systems work in the human body which is composed of different
organs, e.g. endocrine system causes secretions of hormones, the cardiovascular system causes blood circulation, the muscular system causes contraction and relaxation of muscles, the respiratory
system causes breathing and reproductive system causes the production of a new born. The digestive system causes food digestion, and absorption and lymphatic system cause
absorption and circulation of lymph.
Key Differences between Tissue and Organ
- A tissue is a cluster of cells while and organ is a cluster of tissues. Tissues perform simple functions in the body while organs perform complex, specialized functions.
- Organs occupy greater surface area than tissues and require a greater amount of energy in the form of ATP.
- Tissues need a microscope to be viewed while organs can be viewed by the naked eye.
- Tissues need staining for their study while organs do not need.
Conclusion
Tissues and organs form different systems in our body. They are the basic topics of discussion in biology. It is compulsive to know the differences between them. In the above article, we learnt clear
differences between tissues and organs.