What are tissues primarily composed of?

Tissues are fundamentally defined as groups of specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions. This collaborative behavior allows tissues to carry out tasks more efficiently than individual cells could on their own. For instance, muscle tissue is composed of muscle cells that contract to facilitate movement, while nervous tissue consists of neurons that communicate signals throughout the body.

In contrast, organs are made up of various types of tissues, and they perform distinct functions within an organ system, indicating that organs do not function independently of each other. Organ systems consist of multiple organs that collaborate to execute broad physiological functions, and while all body cells are vital, they do not constitute tissues as a collective unit. Thus, understanding that tissues are primarily specialized cellular formations is essential in grasping the hierarchical organization of biological systems.