Cells that team up

The idea

A tissue is a group of cells, similar in structure, that work together to perform a specific function; forming different tissues gives a division of labour, which increases the body's efficiency and enables complex life processes.

One cell or many

An amoeba is a single cell. A human body is made of a very large number of cells.

Why do the cells of a body gather into groups?

• Each group does its own job, so the body works better
• Each cell must do every job on its own
• Cells gather so that they stop working

From one cell to a tissue

Press Next step and watch how cells are organised.

Sharing the work

In the amoeba, one cell did everything. In a body made of many cells, similar cells group together. Muscle cells work together for movement, and nerve cells work together to carry messages. Because each group has its own job, the work is shared.

A tissue is a group of cells, similar in structure, that work together to perform a specific function. Forming different tissues gives a division of labour, which increases the efficiency of the body and enables it to carry out complex life processes.

Notes

A tissue is a group of similar cells working together for a specific function. Different tissues share the work: division of labour.

Check yourself

What is a tissue?

How are the functions of life carried out in an amoeba?

What does the division of labour do for the body?

Which tissue in animals carries messages to different parts of the body?

• A single cell that does all the functions of life. That describes a unicellular organism such as an amoeba, not a tissue.
• A group of cells of similar structure working together for a specific function — correct. Yes!
• A group of different organs working together. Different organs together form an organ system. A tissue is smaller: a group of similar cells.
• Different tissues share the work. An amoeba is made of a single cell, so there are no groups of cells to share the work.
• Muscle tissue does the work of movement. An amoeba is a single cell. Muscle tissue is a group of many cells.
• One cell performs all of them — correct. Yes!
• It makes the body more efficient and lets it carry out complex life processes — correct. Yes!
• It makes each cell do every job. Division of labour means that different groups of cells do different jobs.
• It joins all the cells into one single cell. Cells stay as separate cells. They form tissues, and each tissue has its own job.
• Muscle tissue. Muscle tissue enables movement.
• Nervous tissue — correct. Yes!
• Xylem. Xylem is a plant tissue. It transports water and minerals.