ORGAN
Charles François (2004). ORGAN, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 2395.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2395 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
The set of “all the components which carry out the processes of a given subsystem of an organism” (J.G. MILLER, 1978, p.315).
The organ is the second level of complexity in MILLER's taxonomy of living systems. It is made of cells and has a defined structural and functional role in an organism.
MILLER comments: “This is like one common meaning of organ, ”a part of the body having a special function“ and different from another current usage, ”a more or less independent portion of the body having a tissue framework, and a special blood, lymph and nerve supply in addition to its characteristic essential cells“ (Ibid).