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Anatomy & Physiology - Chapter 4: Tissue: The Living Fabric

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Terms in this set (24)

  • What are tissues?
    Groups of cells similar in structure that perform a common or related function.
  • What are the four basic tissue types?
    Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.
  • What are the special characteristics of epithelial tissue?
    Polarity, specialized contacts, supported by connective tissue, avascular but innervated, and high regeneration capacity.
  • How is epithelial tissue classified?
    By number of layers (simple or stratified) and cell shape (squamous, cuboidal, columnar).
  • What is the function of simple squamous epithelium?
    Filtration or exchange of substances due to its thin, flat cells.
  • Where is simple cuboidal epithelium found and what is its function?
    In smallest ducts of glands and kidney tubules; functions in secretion and absorption.
  • What is pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
    A single layer of cells of varying heights that appears layered; functions in secretion or absorption, e.g., respiratory tract lining.
  • What is the main function of stratified epithelium?
    Protection, especially in areas subject to abrasion.
  • What distinguishes endocrine glands from exocrine glands?
    Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into blood or lymph; exocrine glands have ducts and secrete onto surfaces or cavities.
  • What are the structural classifications of multicellular exocrine glands?
    Simple glands have unbranched ducts; compound glands have branched ducts.
  • What are the modes of secretion in exocrine glands?
    Merocrine (exocytosis) and holocrine (cell ruptures to release product).
  • What are the common characteristics of connective tissue?
    Extracellular matrix, common embryonic origin (mesenchyme), and variable vascularity.
  • What are the three types of connective tissue fibers?
    Collagen (strong), elastic (stretch and recoil), and reticular (fine networks).
  • What is the difference between immature (-blast) and mature (-cyte) connective tissue cells?
    Immature cells actively divide and secrete matrix; mature cells maintain tissue health.
  • Name three types of loose connective tissue and their functions.
    Areolar (support and defense), adipose (nutrient storage and insulation), reticular (internal framework of lymphoid organs).
  • What distinguishes dense regular from dense irregular connective tissue?
    Dense regular has collagen fibers aligned in one direction (tendons, ligaments); dense irregular has fibers in multiple directions (dermis).
  • What are the three types of cartilage and their characteristics?
    Hyaline (firm support), elastic (strength and stretch), fibrocartilage (strong support under pressure).
  • What are osteoblasts and osteocytes?
    Osteoblasts produce bone matrix; osteocytes maintain bone tissue within lacunae.
  • Why is blood classified as connective tissue?
    It develops from mesenchyme and consists of cells and plasma within an extracellular matrix.
  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and their key features?
    Skeletal (voluntary, multinucleate, striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated, branched, intercalated discs), smooth (involuntary, unstriated, spindle-shaped).
  • What are the two main cell types in nervous tissue?
    Neurons (conduct impulses) and supporting cells (insulate and protect neurons).
  • What are the three types of body membranes and their characteristics?
    Cutaneous (dry, skin), mucous (wet, line cavities open to exterior), serous (moist, line closed cavities).
  • What are the main steps in tissue repair?
    Inflammation, organization (granulation tissue formation), and regeneration or fibrosis.
  • What is the difference between regeneration and fibrosis in tissue repair?
    Regeneration replaces damaged cells with the same type; fibrosis replaces them with fibrous connective tissue.