Final answer:
Cells associate to form tissues, which are collections of similar cells that carry out a specific function in an organism. This is a fundamental concept in biology that underlies the structure of multicellular organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When cells in an organism associate with each other, they form tissues. In the hierarchy of biological organization, atoms combine to form molecules, which in turn can form macromolecules such as DNA. Cells are made of these molecules and when they associate, they form tissues. Tissues then work together to form organs, which are integral parts of an organism. An example of this can be seen in humans where muscle cells form muscle tissue, which is part of the heart organ.