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Tissues II – Connective, Muscle, & Nervous Tissues

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is mesenchyme?

    Mesenchyme is an embryonic connective tissue that gives rise to all other connective tissues.

  • What composes the extracellular matrix in connective tissue?

    The extracellular matrix is composed of ground substance and protein fibers such as collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.

  • What are the three types of loose connective tissue?

    Areolar tissue, adipose tissue, and reticular tissue.

  • Describe areolar connective tissue.

    Areolar tissue has a loose arrangement of fibers, provides cushioning, and is found beneath epithelial tissues throughout the body.

  • What is the primary function of adipose tissue?

    Adipose tissue stores energy as fat, insulates the body, and cushions organs.

  • Where is reticular connective tissue found and what is its function?

    Reticular tissue forms a supportive framework in lymphoid organs like lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.

  • What distinguishes dense regular connective tissue?

    Dense regular connective tissue has collagen fibers aligned in parallel, providing strong tensile strength in one direction, found in tendons and ligaments.

  • How does dense irregular connective tissue differ from dense regular?

    Dense irregular connective tissue has collagen fibers arranged irregularly, allowing strength in multiple directions, found in dermis and organ capsules.

  • What is the role of elastic connective tissue?

    Elastic connective tissue contains many elastic fibers, allowing tissues like large arteries and certain ligaments to stretch and recoil.

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

    Hyaline cartilage (glass-like, supports and cushions), elastic cartilage (flexible, found in ear), fibrocartilage (tough, shock absorber in intervertebral discs).

  • What is the main function of bone (osseous) tissue?

    Bone tissue provides structural support, protects organs, and stores minerals like calcium.

  • What is unique about blood as a connective tissue?

    Blood has a liquid extracellular matrix called plasma and functions in transport of gases, nutrients, and immune cells.

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue?

    Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.

  • Describe skeletal muscle tissue.

    Skeletal muscle is voluntary, striated, multinucleated, and attached to bones for movement.

  • What are key features of cardiac muscle tissue?

    Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated, has intercalated discs, and is found only in the heart.

  • Where is smooth muscle found and what is its function?

    Smooth muscle is involuntary, non-striated, found in walls of hollow organs, and controls slow, sustained contractions.

  • What are the two general cell types in nervous tissue?

    Neurons, which transmit electrical signals, and neuroglia (glial cells), which support and protect neurons.

  • What is the difference between regeneration and fibrosis?

    Regeneration replaces damaged tissue with the same cell type, restoring function; fibrosis replaces tissue with scar tissue, which does not restore full function.

  • Which human tissues have high regenerative ability?

    Epithelial tissues, bone, areolar connective tissue, dense irregular connective tissue, and blood have high regenerative capacity.

  • Which tissues have limited or no regenerative ability?

    Cardiac muscle and nervous tissue in the brain and spinal cord have limited or no regenerative ability.