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Anatomy unit 7

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Terms in this set (28)

  • Levels of Organization in the Human Body

    Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism, from smallest to largest.

  • Interstitial Fluid

    Fluid surrounding cells that allows exchange of nutrients and waste between blood and cells.

  • Four Major Tissue Types and Their Main Functions

    Epithelial: covers and protects; Connective: connects and supports; Muscle: contracts for movement; Nervous: communicates via electrical signals.

  • Three Important Cell Junctions

    Tight junctions (seal), Desmosomes (anchor), Gap junctions (communication).

  • Characteristics of Epithelial Tissue

    Tightly packed cells, avascular, has an apical surface facing free space or lumen.

  • Apical vs Basal Surface of Epithelial Cells

    Apical faces free space/lumen; Basal faces underlying tissue and attaches to basement membrane.

  • Function of the Basement Membrane

    Supports and anchors epithelial tissue; separates it from connective tissue; allows nutrient diffusion.

  • How Epithelial Tissue Is Classified

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

  • Simple Squamous Epithelium

    One thin layer of flat cells; allows diffusion and filtration; found in alveoli and blood vessels.

  • Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

    One layer of cube-shaped cells; functions in absorption and secretion; found in kidney tubules.

  • Stratified Squamous Epithelium

    Multiple layers with flat apical cells; provides protection against abrasion; found in skin and esophagus.

  • Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

    Appears multilayered but is one layer; nuclei at different heights; found in respiratory tract; often ciliated.

  • Transitional Epithelium

    Specialized for stretching; cells change shape from rounded to flat; found in urinary bladder.

  • Difference Between Exocrine and Endocrine Glands

    Exocrine glands have ducts and secrete onto surfaces; endocrine glands have no ducts and release hormones into blood.

  • Main Components of Connective Tissue

    Cells, extracellular matrix (fibers + ground substance), and abundant extracellular material.

  • Three Types of Connective Tissue Fibers

    Collagen (strength), Elastic (stretch and recoil), Reticular (supportive network).

  • Meaning of Blast, Cyte, and Clast in Connective Tissue Cells

    Blast = build, Cyte = maintain, Clast = break down.

  • Function of Osteoclasts

    Break down bone matrix to release calcium into the blood.

  • Characteristics of Areolar Connective Tissue

    Loose arrangement of fibers and cells; highly vascular; supports and cushions tissues; found under epithelial tissue.

  • Differences Between Dense Regular and Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

    Dense regular: collagen fibers parallel, strong in one direction; Dense irregular: fibers in many directions, strong in multiple directions.

  • Why Cartilage Heals Slowly

    Cartilage is avascular, so nutrients reach cells slowly by diffusion.

  • Three Types of Cartilage and Their Features

    Hyaline: smooth, glassy; Elastic: flexible with elastic fibers; Fibrocartilage: strong, shock-absorbing with collagen fibers.

  • Bone Matrix Composition

    Organic components (proteins, carbohydrates) provide flexibility; inorganic components (calcium phosphate) provide hardness and strength.

  • Bone as a Calcium Bank

    Bone stores calcium; osteoclasts break down bone to release calcium for nerve, muscle, and heart function.

  • Blood as Connective Tissue

    Consists of cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) and extracellular matrix (plasma).

  • Three Types of Muscle Tissue

    Skeletal: voluntary, striated; Cardiac: involuntary, striated, branched; Smooth: involuntary, no striations.

  • Features of Cardiac Muscle

    Striated, involuntary, branched cells with intercalated discs; found only in the heart.

  • Functions of Nervous Tissue

    Communication via electrical signals; includes neurons (signal transmission) and glial cells (support and protection).