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Basic Anatomy & Physiology Tissue Concepts

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Terms in this set (31)

  • What is a tissue?
    A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.
  • Name the four basic tissue types.
    Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
  • What is the function of epithelial tissue?
    It covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.
  • What roles does connective tissue play?
    It supports, connects, protects, and binds other tissues.
  • What is the primary function of muscle tissue?
    It contracts to produce movement.
  • What is the role of nervous tissue?
    It receives and transmits electrical signals.
  • Define the apical surface of epithelial cells.
    The free surface of an epithelial cell, facing the body surface or cavity.
  • What is the basal surface of epithelial cells?
    The surface of an epithelial cell attached to the basement membrane.
  • What are microvilli?
    Small projections that increase surface area for absorption.
  • What is the function of cilia on epithelial cells?
    Hairlike projections that move substances across a cell surface.
  • What are tight junctions?
    Connections that prevent substances from passing between adjacent cells.
  • What are desmosomes?
    Strong cell connections that help tissues resist mechanical stress.
  • What is the role of gap junctions?
    Channels that allow neighboring cells to communicate.
  • What are adhesion belts?
    Cell junctions that help hold adjacent cells together.
  • What are hemidesmosomes?
    Structures that anchor epithelial cells to the basement membrane.
  • Describe squamous cells.
    Thin, flat cells.
  • Describe cuboidal cells.
    Cube-shaped cells.
  • Describe columnar cells.
    Tall, column-shaped cells.
  • What is simple epithelium?
    Epithelium made of one cell layer.
  • What is stratified epithelium?
    Epithelium made of multiple cell layers.
  • Function of simple squamous epithelium?
    One layer of flat cells; allows rapid diffusion and filtration.
  • Function of simple cuboidal epithelium?
    One layer of cube-shaped cells; involved in secretion and absorption.
  • Function of simple columnar epithelium?
    One layer of tall cells; involved in absorption and secretion.
  • What is stratified squamous epithelium?
    Multiple layers of cells that protect against abrasion.
  • Difference between keratinized and nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium?
    Keratinized has a surface layer with keratin; nonkeratinized remains moist.
  • What is transitional epithelium?
    Epithelium that stretches and changes shape.
  • What is pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
    Epithelium that looks multilayered but all cells touch the basement membrane.
  • Difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
    Endocrine glands release hormones into blood or fluid; exocrine glands release products through ducts.
  • What is merocrine secretion?
    Product released by exocytosis without loss of cell material.
  • What is apocrine secretion?
    Product released with a portion of the cell's apical cytoplasm.
  • What is holocrine secretion?
    Product released when the entire cell breaks down.