Organism vs. Organ — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
An organism is any living individual entity that functions as a whole, such as animals, plants, or bacteria; an organ is a specialized part of an organism that performs a specific function, like a heart or liver.
Difference Between Organism and Organ
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An organism represents any living being, from a simple single-celled bacterium to a highly complex human being. Each organism functions as a complete unit capable of various biological processes. Whereas an organ is a specific part of a multicellular organism, which has a distinct structure and specialized function, contributing to the overall health and operation of the organism.
Organisms are capable of reproduction, growth, and response to their environment as complete entities. On the other hand, organs are integral components that contribute to these functions but do not independently perform all these functions.
The complexity of an organism can vary widely, encompassing single-celled forms without any organs to multicellular organisms with complex organ systems. While organs are complex structures themselves, they are limited to multicellular organisms and are specialized for tasks like digestion, respiration, or circulation.
In terms of biological hierarchy, an organism stands at a higher level, as it comprises various systems, which in turn include organs. Organs, however, form part of these systems and are composed of tissues, which are made up of cells.
The survival of organisms depends on the integrated functions of various organs (in multicellular organisms), each fulfilling essential roles. Boundaries of organ function are well defined, and each organ's health is crucial for the organism's overall well-being and survival.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A living individual entity that functions as a whole.
A part of an organism that performs a specific function.
Examples
Bacteria, plants, animals, humans.
Heart, liver, brain, leaf, root.
Complexity
Can be single-celled or multicellular.
Complex structure, part of multicellular organisms.
Biological Role
Independent life, capable of all life processes.
Supports life processes but not capable of independent life.
Hierarchy
Comprises multiple systems (in multicellular forms).
Part of a system, composed of tissues.
Compare with Definitions
Organism
Capable of growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.
The amoeba, a simple organism, reproduces by dividing.
Organ
A distinct body part with a specific vital function.
The heart is an organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
Organism
Can be either unicellular or multicellular.
Algae are organisms that can consist of a single cell or a colony of cells.
Organ
Found in plants, animals, and other multicellular organisms.
Leaves are organs of plants that perform photosynthesis.
Organism
Exists across a variety of environments, adapting to diverse conditions.
Organisms in the deep sea have adapted to high pressure and low light conditions.
Organ
Critical to the physiological processes of living organisms.
The liver, an organ in humans, detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs.
Organism
Any living being that functions as an independent unit.
A mushroom is an organism that feeds by decomposing organic matter.
Organ
Made up of various types of tissues that contribute to its function.
The skin, the largest organ, is made up of multiple layers that protect against infection and regulate temperature.
Organism
Includes all categories of living beings.
Every organism, from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale, plays a role in its ecosystem.
Organ
Often interconnected with other organs to maintain homeostasis.
The lungs and kidneys work together to regulate blood pH levels.
Organism
In biology, an organism (from Greek: ὀργανισμός, organismos) is any organic, living system that functions as an individual entity. All organisms are composed of cells (cell theory).
Organ
A part of an organism which is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function
The internal organs
Organism
An individual form of life, such as a bacterium, protist, fungus, plant, or animal, composed of a single cell or a complex of cells in which organelles or organs work together to carry out the various processes of life.
Organ
A large musical instrument having rows of pipes supplied with air from bellows (now usually electrically powered), and played using a keyboard or by an automatic mechanism. The pipes are generally arranged in ranks of a particular type, each controlled by a stop, and often into larger sets linked to separate keyboards.
Organism
A system regarded as analogous in its structure or functions to a living body
The social organism.
Organ
A department or organization that performs a specified function
The organs of local government
Organism
The fact of being organic; organicity.
Organ
An instrument consisting of a number of pipes that sound tones when supplied with air and a keyboard that operates a mechanism controlling the flow of air to the pipes. Also called pipe organ.
Organism
Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
Organ
Any one of various other instruments, such as the electronic organ, that resemble a pipe organ either in mechanism or sound.
Organism
(biology) A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
Organ
(Biology) A differentiated part of an organism, such as an eye, wing, or leaf, that performs a specific function.
Organism
Organic structure; organization.
Organ
An instrument or agency dedicated to the performance of specified functions
The FBI is an organ of the Justice Department.
Organism
An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, composed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.
Organ
An instrument or means of communication, especially a periodical issued by a political party, business firm, or other group.
Organism
A living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
Organ
The larger part of an organism, composed of tissues that perform similar functions.
Bodily organs
Vital organ
Organism
A system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body;
The social organism
Organ
(by extension) A body of an organization dedicated to the performing of certain functions.
Organ
(musical instruments) A musical instrument that has multiple pipes which play when a key is pressed (the pipe organ), or an electronic instrument designed to replicate such.
Organ
An official magazine, newsletter, or similar publication of an organization.
Organ
A government organization; agency; authority.
Organ
(slang) The penis.
Organ
An Asian form of mitrailleuse.
Organ
To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs.
Organ
An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc., are organs of government.
Organ
A natural part or structure in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc., are organs of animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc., are organs of plants.
Organ
A component part performing an essential office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder, valves, crank, etc., are organs of the steam engine.
Organ
A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the organ of communication between the government and a foreign power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party, sect, etc. A newsletter distributed within an organization is often called its house organ.
Organ
A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; - formerly used in the plural, each pipe being considered an organ.
The deep, majestic, solemn organs blow.
The merry orgon . . . that in the church goon [go].
Organ
To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize.
Thou art elemented and organed for other apprehensions.
Organ
A fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function
Organ
A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function;
The Census Bureau is an organ of the Commerce Department
Organ
(music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ
Organ
A periodical that is published by a special interest group;
The organ of the communist party
Organ
Wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard
Organ
A free-reed instrument in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows
Common Curiosities
What are some examples of organs in plants?
Examples include leaves, roots, and stems, each serving distinct physiological roles.
How does the failure of one organ affect an organism?
The failure of one organ can compromise the health of the entire organism, depending on the organ's role and the organism's ability to compensate.
What’s the simplest form of an organism?
The simplest organisms are single-celled, like bacteria and some algae.
How do organs fit into the structure of an organism?
Organs are components of an organism that perform specific functions within organ systems.
Can an organ survive independently of the organism?
No, organs cannot survive independently; they require the systems of the organism to function.
How do organs develop in multicellular organisms?
Organs develop through a process called organogenesis, where cells differentiate and form tissues that organize into organs.
Can organisms be artificially created?
Scientists have made progress in synthetic biology, creating simple life forms in laboratories, but complex organisms have not been artificially created.
Are viruses considered organisms?
Viruses are not considered full organisms by most biologists because they cannot carry out life processes independently.
What defines an organism?
An organism is defined as any living thing that functions as an independent biological entity.
How do organisms adapt to their environment?
Organisms adapt through genetic changes over generations, enabling them to survive and reproduce in changing conditions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
