Question

Four students are working on a human body project for their science class. They cannot agree on the basic unit of structure and function in the human body where basic life processes are carried out. These basic processes are getting energy from food, removal of waste molecules, response to stimuli, reproduction, movement, growth and repair. They debated their ideas as follows:

Paul’s argument: Tissues are the basic unit of structure and organs are the basic units of function.

Tia’s argument: Cells are the basic unit of structure and organs are the basic unit of function.

Margy’s argument: Cells are the basic unit of structure and function.

Ray’s argument: Organs are the basic unit of structure and function.


Which student do you agree with, if any? In 3-4 sentences (or you can record yourself speaking your answer and link it here) describe your thinking. Provide an explanation for why you think the way that you do.

Answer 1

I agree with Tia's argument that cells are the basic unit of structure and organs are the basic unit of function.

The human body is made up of billions of cells, which are the smallest unit of structure that can carry out life processes on their own. Cells are responsible for carrying out basic functions such as getting energy from food, removal of waste molecules, response to stimuli, reproduction, and growth and repair.

Organs, on the other hand, are made up of groups of specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions. For example, the heart is an organ that is made up of muscle cells, blood vessel cells, and other types of cells, and its function is to pump blood throughout the body.