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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Structure and Function

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Terms in this set (30)

  • What are the four basic tissue types in the human body?
    Epithelial (covers), Connective (supports), Muscle (moves), and Nervous (controls) tissues.
  • What is histology?
    The study of tissues.
  • What are the two main forms of epithelial tissue?
    Covering and lining epithelia on external and internal surfaces, and glandular epithelia which are secretory tissues in glands.
  • List five special characteristics of epithelial tissue.
    Polarity, specialized contacts, supported by connective tissues, avascular but innervated, and regeneration.
  • What is the difference between the apical and basal surfaces of epithelial cells?
    The apical surface is the upper free side exposed to the surface or cavity, often with microvilli; the basal surface is the lower attached side facing underlying connective tissue.
  • What types of lateral contacts bind epithelial cells together?
    Tight junctions and desmosomes.
  • What is the basement membrane and its function?
    A structure made of basal and reticular lamina that reinforces epithelial sheets, resists stretching and tearing, and defines epithelial boundaries.
  • How are epithelial tissues nourished if they are avascular?
    By diffusion from underlying connective tissues; they are innervated by nerve fibers.
  • How are epithelial tissues classified by cell layers and shape?
    By number of layers: simple (one layer) or stratified (multiple layers); by shape: squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), or columnar (tall).
  • What is the function and location of simple squamous epithelium?
    Allows rapid diffusion and filtration; found in kidney glomeruli, air sacs of lungs, and lining of blood vessels.
  • Describe simple cuboidal epithelium and its function.
    Single layer of cube-like cells involved in secretion and absorption; found in kidney tubules and gland ducts.
  • What distinguishes pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
    Appears multilayered due to varying cell heights but is a single layer; often ciliated and involved in mucus secretion and movement.
  • What is the main function of stratified squamous epithelium?
    Protection against abrasion; found in skin, mouth, esophagus, and vagina.
  • What is transitional epithelium and where is it found?
    Stratified epithelium that stretches readily; lines urinary bladder, ureters, and part of urethra.
  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.
    Endocrine glands secrete hormones internally into blood or lymph; exocrine glands secrete onto body surfaces or cavities via ducts.
  • What are the three modes of secretion in multicellular exocrine glands?
    Merocrine: secretion by exocytosis; holocrine: secretion by cell rupture; apocrine: secretion by apex rupture (controversial in humans).
  • What are the four main classes of connective tissue?
    Connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, and blood.
  • What are the three main structural elements of connective tissue?
    Ground substance, fibers, and cells.
  • Name the three types of connective tissue fibers and their functions.
    Collagen: strongest, provides tensile strength; elastic fibers: allow stretch and recoil; reticular fibers: form supportive mesh networks.
  • What is the difference between 'blast' and 'cyte' cells in connective tissue?
    'Blast' cells are immature, actively secreting matrix components; 'cyte' cells are mature, maintaining the matrix.
  • Describe areolar connective tissue and its function.
    Loose connective tissue with all fiber types; wraps and cushions organs, holds tissue fluid, and contains immune cells.
  • What is the primary function of adipose tissue?
    Stores energy as fat, provides insulation and shock absorption.
  • What distinguishes dense regular connective tissue?
    Closely packed collagen fibers aligned parallel to resist tension in one direction; found in tendons and ligaments.
  • What is the function of hyaline cartilage and where is it found?
    Supports and cushions; found on ends of long bones, nose, trachea, and ribs.
  • What are the characteristics of bone tissue?
    Hard, calcified matrix with collagen; supports and protects body, stores minerals, and houses blood-forming tissue.
  • What makes blood a connective tissue?
    It has cells suspended in a fluid matrix (plasma) and transports gases, nutrients, and wastes.
  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and their control types?
    Skeletal muscle: voluntary, striated; cardiac muscle: involuntary, striated; smooth muscle: involuntary, non-striated.
  • What are the two main cell types in nervous tissue?
    Neurons that generate and conduct impulses, and supporting cells that insulate and protect neurons.
  • What are the three types of covering and lining membranes?
    Cutaneous membranes (skin), mucous membranes (line body cavities open to exterior), and serous membranes (line closed ventral body cavities).
  • What are the two major ways tissue repair occurs?
    Regeneration: replacement with same tissue type restoring function; fibrosis: replacement with connective tissue causing scar and loss of function.