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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Types and Characteristics

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Terms in this set (23)

  • What are the four primary tissue classes?

    Epithelial, connective, muscle, and neural tissues.

  • What are the four main functions of epithelial tissue?

    Filtration, absorption, protection, and secretion.

  • List five defining characteristics of epithelial tissue.

    High cellularity, polarity, avascularity, basement membrane support, and high regeneration capacity.

  • Name the three specialized apical structures found only in epithelial cells.

    Microvilli (increase surface area), stereocilia (long microvilli, non-motile), and cilia (wave motion to move particles).

  • How is epithelial tissue classified by number of layers?

    Simple (1 layer), stratified (>1 layer), and pseudostratified (1 layer, appears multiple).

  • What are the three common epithelial cell shapes?

    Squamous (flat), cuboidal (box-like), and columnar (pillar-like).

  • What is the function of tight junctions between epithelial cells?

    They seal cell membranes tightly to prevent passage of substances, even water.

  • Describe desmosomes and their function.

    Desmosomes are structural connections made of CAMs and proteoglycans, attaching cells to the cytoskeleton for strength.

  • What role do gap junctions play in tissues?

    They form channels allowing cytoplasmic continuity and electrical communication, important in cardiac and smooth muscle.

  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.

    Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into interstitial fluid; exocrine glands have ducts and secrete onto epithelial surfaces.

  • What are the two main gland shapes and branching patterns?

    Shapes: tubular (tube-like) and acinar (bulb-like). Branching: simple (one duct) and compound (multiple ducts).

  • Name the three modes of glandular secretion.

    Merocrine, apocrine, and holocrine secretion.

  • What are the three components of connective tissue?

    Ground substance, extracellular protein fibers, and specialized cells.

  • List the three types of extracellular protein fibers in connective tissue.

    Collagen fibers (strong, rope-like), reticular fibers (network-like), and elastic fibers (wavy, stretchable).

  • What are the three classifications of connective tissue?

    Connective tissue proper, fluid connective tissue, and supporting connective tissue.

  • Describe loose connective tissue and its types.

    Loose connective tissue fills spaces and surrounds organs; types include areolar, adipose, and reticular tissue.

  • What is the function of adipose tissue?

    Provides padding, insulation, and energy storage in adipocytes.

  • What distinguishes dense regular from dense irregular connective tissue?

    Dense regular has fibers aligned in one direction for linear strength; dense irregular has fibers in multiple directions for strength in all directions.

  • What are the main components of blood as a connective tissue?

    Specialized cells (RBCs, leukocytes) and a fluid matrix called plasma containing dissolved proteins and ions.

  • What is the composition and function of cartilage matrix?

    Gel matrix of chondroitin sulfates forming proteoglycans; provides support and cushioning.

  • Name the three types of cartilage and a key location for each.

    Hyaline (articular cartilage), elastic (ear), and fibrocartilage (vertebral discs).

  • How does bone differ from cartilage in growth and repair?

    Bone grows and remodels throughout life and heals rapidly; cartilage grows mainly in childhood and heals slowly due to avascularity.

  • What is the periosteum and its function?

    A fibrous connective tissue covering bone that supports appositional growth and repair.