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Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Level of Organization

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Terms in this set (32)

  • What are the four major types of tissues in the body?
    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissues.
  • What are the primary functions of epithelial tissue?
    Provide physical protection, control permeability, provide sensation, and produce specialized secretions.
  • List the key characteristics of epithelial tissue.
    Polarity, cellularity, attachment to basement membrane, avascularity, and regeneration.
  • What is the function of microvilli and cilia on epithelial cells?
    Microvilli increase surface area for absorption or secretion; cilia move fluids over the epithelial surface.
  • Name the three main types of intercellular junctions in epithelial tissue.
    Gap junctions, tight junctions, and desmosomes.
  • What is the role of gap junctions?
    Allow passage of small molecules and ions between cells through interlocking connexons.
  • How do tight junctions function in epithelial tissue?
    They bind plasma membranes tightly to prevent passage of water and solutes between cells.
  • What are desmosomes and hemidesmosomes?
    Desmosomes link adjacent cells; hemidesmosomes anchor cells to the basement membrane.
  • What are the two layers of the basement membrane?
    Basal lamina (selective filter) and reticular lamina (provides strength).
  • How are epithelia classified based on cell shape?
    Squamous (thin, flat), cuboidal (boxy), and columnar (tall, slender).
  • How are epithelia classified based on layers?
    Simple (single layer) and stratified (multiple layers).
  • What is the function and location of simple squamous epithelium?
    For absorption and diffusion; found in lung alveoli, mesothelium, and endothelium.
  • What distinguishes keratinized stratified squamous epithelium?
    Contains keratin for strength and water resistance; found in skin surface.
  • What are the functions of simple cuboidal epithelium?
    Secretion and absorption; found in glands and kidney tubules.
  • Describe transitional epithelium and its function.
    Cells change from cuboidal to squamous when stretched; permits repeated stretching without damage; found in urinary bladder.
  • What are the differences between endocrine and exocrine glands?
    Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream without ducts; exocrine glands secrete onto epithelial surfaces through ducts.
  • Name the three methods of exocrine gland secretion.
    Merocrine (exocytosis), apocrine (shedding cytoplasm), and holocrine (cell bursting).
  • What are the main components of connective tissue?
    Specialized cells, extracellular protein fibers, and ground substance (fluid).
  • List the three categories of connective tissue.
    Connective tissue proper, fluid connective tissues, and supporting connective tissues.
  • What are the functions of connective tissue?
    Structural framework, transport of fluids, protection, support, energy storage, and defense against microorganisms.
  • Name the three types of fibers in connective tissue proper.
    Collagen fibers (strong, flexible), reticular fibers (branching network), and elastic fibers (stretch and recoil).
  • What is the role of fibroblasts in connective tissue proper?
    They are the most abundant cells and secrete ground substance and protein fibers.
  • Describe the three types of loose connective tissue.
    Mesenchyme (embryonic tissue), areolar (loosely organized, cushions cells), and adipose (fat storage and insulation).
  • What distinguishes dense regular from dense irregular connective tissue?
    Dense regular has parallel collagen fibers for strength in one direction; dense irregular has interwoven fibers for strength in multiple directions.
  • What is fascia and its three layers?
    Connective tissue wrapping that supports organs; layers are superficial fascia, deep fascia, and subserous fascia.
  • What are the components of blood as a fluid connective tissue?
    Plasma (fluid matrix), red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • What are the three types of cartilage and their characteristics?
    Hyaline (most common, flexible), elastic (flexible with elastic fibers), fibrocartilage (tough, resists compression).
  • How does cartilage grow?
    By interstitial growth (from within) and appositional growth (adding to surface).
  • What are the three types of muscle tissue?
    Skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated, intercalated discs), and smooth (involuntary, nonstriated).
  • What are the main parts of a neuron?
    Cell body (with nucleus), dendrites (receive signals), and axon (sends signals).
  • What are the two stages of tissue response to injury?
    Inflammation (to prevent infection and clear debris) and regeneration (to restore function).
  • How does aging affect tissues?
    Slows repair and maintenance, decreases energy consumption, thins tissues, increases fragility, and reduces regeneration speed.