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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue and Integumentary System Basics

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is a tissue?

    A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a common function.

  • What is histology?

    Histology is the study of tissues and their structure.

  • What are the four general tissue types?

    The four general tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

  • What are the main functions of epithelial tissues?

    Epithelial tissues provide protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration.

  • How do we classify epithelial tissues?

    By cell shape (squamous, cuboidal, columnar) and number of layers (simple or stratified).

  • What is the apical surface of an epithelial tissue? The basal surface?

    The apical surface faces the body surface or lumen; the basal surface attaches to underlying tissues.

  • What is the basement membrane of an epithelial tissue?

    The basement membrane is a thin layer that anchors epithelial tissue to connective tissue.

  • What is the function of goblet cells? What is the function of mucus?

    Goblet cells secrete mucus, which lubricates and protects epithelial surfaces.

  • How do we tell the difference between keratinized and non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium? How are their functions different?

    Keratinized epithelium has a surface layer of dead cells with keratin for protection; non-keratinized lacks this and stays moist for lining internal surfaces.

  • What is the difference between an exocrine and an endocrine gland? Name an example of each.

    Exocrine glands secrete substances through ducts (e.g., sweat glands); endocrine glands secrete hormones into the blood (e.g., thyroid gland).

  • What is a secretion?

    A secretion is a substance produced and released by a gland for a specific function.

  • What are the main functions of connective tissues?

    Connective tissues provide support, protection, insulation, and transport of substances.

  • How do we classify connective tissues?

    Connective tissues are classified as connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, and blood.

  • What components make up a connective tissue? What two components make up the extracellular matrix?

    Connective tissue consists of cells and extracellular matrix, which includes ground substance and protein fibers.

  • What are the three types of protein fibers in connective tissue? Describe them.

    Collagen fibers are strong and flexible, elastic fibers allow stretch, and reticular fibers form supportive networks.

  • What are “blast” cells? Name some examples.

    Blast cells are immature, active cells that produce matrix; examples include fibroblasts and chondroblasts.

  • What are “cyte” cells? Name some examples.

    Cyte cells are mature, less active cells that maintain the matrix; examples include chondrocytes and osteocytes.

  • What are mesenchymal stem cells? What do they do?

    Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate into various connective tissue cells for repair.

  • What are the main functions of muscle tissues?

    Muscle tissues enable movement, posture maintenance, and heat production.

  • How do we classify muscle tissues?

    Muscle tissues are classified as skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

  • What are the main functions of nervous tissue?

    Nervous tissue detects stimuli, processes information, and transmits signals throughout the body.

  • Describe hypertrophy and give an example.

    Hypertrophy is the increase in cell size; for example, muscle growth from exercise.

  • Describe hyperplasia and give an example.

    Hyperplasia is the increase in cell number; for example, skin cell growth during wound healing.

  • Describe atrophy and give an example.

    Atrophy is the decrease in cell size or number; for example, muscle wasting from disuse.

  • What are the main organs of the integumentary system?

    The main organs are the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

  • What is dermatology?

    Dermatology is the medical specialty focused on the skin and its diseases.

  • Describe the three layers of skin and their main tissue types.

    The epidermis (epithelial tissue), dermis (connective tissue), and hypodermis (mostly adipose connective tissue).

  • Name the four cell types of the epidermis.

    Keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans (dendritic) cells, and Merkel (tactile) cells.

  • What are the five layers of the epidermis?

    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.