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Anatomy & Physiology: Chapter 4 - Tissues

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What are the four basic types of tissues?

    Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

  • What is the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissues?

    The interstitial fluid and structural components surrounding cells, such as fibers and ground substance.

  • What are the main functions of epithelial tissue?

    Protection, absorption, filtration, excretion, secretion, and sensory reception.

  • What does polarity mean in epithelial tissue?

    Having distinct apical (exposed) and basal (anchored) surfaces.

  • What are tight junctions and desmosomes in epithelial tissue?

    Tight junctions stitch plasma membranes tightly; desmosomes join intermediate filaments for stronger cell connections.

  • How is epithelial tissue classified by layers?

    Simple (one layer), stratified (multiple layers), and pseudostratified (appears layered but is one layer).

  • What are the main shapes of epithelial cells?

    Squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), columnar (tall), and transitional (shape-changing).

  • Where is simple squamous epithelium found and what is its function?

    Found in alveoli and blood vessel linings; allows rapid exchange and reduces friction.

  • What is the function of simple cuboidal epithelium?

    Absorption and secretion, mainly in kidney tubules and exocrine gland ducts.

  • What special features can simple columnar epithelium have?

    May have microvilli to increase surface area and goblet cells that secrete mucus.

  • What is the role of pseudostratified columnar epithelium?

    Protection, mucus secretion, and mucus movement, especially in the respiratory tract.

  • What distinguishes stratified squamous epithelium?

    Multiple layers providing thick protection; can be keratinized (skin) or non-keratinized (esophagus).

  • What is transitional epithelium and where is it found?

    Epithelium that changes shape when stretched; lines the urinary tract.

  • What are the two main types of glands formed by epithelial tissue?

    Endocrine glands (ductless, secrete hormones into blood) and exocrine glands (secrete onto surfaces or cavities).

  • What are the modes of secretion in exocrine glands?

    Merocrine (exocytosis), apocrine (apical portion ruptures), and holocrine (whole cell disintegrates).

  • What are the three common elements of connective tissue?

    Ground substance, cells, and protein fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular).

  • What are fibroblasts, chondroblasts, and osteoblasts?

    Cells that build fibers (fibroblasts), cartilage matrix (chondroblasts), and bone (osteoblasts).

  • What are the characteristics of dense regular connective tissue?

    Highly organized, parallel fibers providing high resistance to tension, found in tendons and ligaments.

  • What is the function of elastic fibers in connective tissue?

    Allow tissues to stretch and recoil, important in ligaments and artery walls.

  • What are the three types of cartilage?

    Hyaline (most abundant), elastic (with elastic fibers), and fibrocartilage (resists compression).

  • What is the functional unit of bone tissue?

    The osteon, which includes concentric layers of bone matrix around a central canal.

  • What are the key features of skeletal muscle tissue?

    Striated, multinucleate, voluntary, with weak regenerative ability.

  • What distinguishes cardiac muscle tissue?

    Striated, uninucleate, involuntary, with intercalated discs for coordinated contractions; non-regenerative.

  • Where is smooth muscle found and what is its function?

    In walls of hollow organs (except heart); involuntary, non-striated, controls constriction and dilation.

  • What are neurons and neuroglia?

    Neurons transmit electrical signals; neuroglia support neurons and can grow; nervous tissue is mostly non-regenerative.

  • What are the three main types of body membranes?

    Cutaneous (skin), mucous (lines cavities open to environment), and serous (lines closed body cavities).

  • What are the three steps of tissue repair?

    1. Inflammation, 2. Organization restores blood supply, 3. Regeneration and fibrosis complete repair.

  • What is fibrosis in tissue repair?

    Replacement of damaged tissue with connective tissue, often resulting in scar formation.