Tissue Level of Organization

Epithellial Tissue Functions

covers body surfaces, lines hollow organs, body cavities, and ducts, forms glands. Protection, Absorbtion, Secretion, Filtration.

Connective Tissue Functions

Protects/Supports body, binds organs together, transports/stores energy, provides immunity.

Muscle Tissue Functions

generates physical force necessary to move.

Nervous tissue functions

detects changes in environment, responds by generating nerve impulses to maintain homeostasis.

Tight junctions

Contact point between adjacent cells that is so tight that it prevents the passage of substances between them. plasma membrane is fused together.

Adherens Junctions

Plaque is used to link cells in adhesion belts. leaves some intracellular space so materials can pass between 2 cells.

Desmosomes

A strong connection of adjacent cells through intermediate fillaments (very strong protein fillaments) that go through spots of plaque (not belts) in each cell, leaving enough intracellular space so material does pass.

Hemidesmosomes

Half a desmosome, anchors cells to underlying basement membrane of extracellular material (does not connect 2 adjacent cells)

Gap Junctions

Fluid filled tunnels between cells in the cytosol that are used for cell to cell communication, such as electrical signals sent by cardiac muscle cells. Cells are not fused, they are seporated by a gap.

Apical Surface

Top surface of epithelial tissue.

Epithelial Tissue Characteristics

tightly connected cells arranged in sheets. has apical, basal, and lateral suraces. attached to a basement membrane. avascular. regenerates readily.

Lateral Surface

Middle layer of epithelial tissue.

Basal surface

the base/bottom of epithelial tissue that is connected to basement membrane.

Basal Lamina

Extracellular material produced by the epithelial tissue that makes up part of the basement membrane.

Reticular Lamina

Makes up part of the basement membrance and is produced by cells of the connective tissue.

The 2 categories of epithelial tissue

covering/lining epithelium and glandular epithelium

Connective Tissue Characteristics

Most abundant tissue type in body. Highly vascular. protects and insulates. major transport system. primary source of energy storage. main source of immune responses.

What are the only types of connective tissue that are NOT vascular?

Cartilage, and tendons are limited.

Fibroblasts

most numerous cells in CT. Produce protein fibers and lay down matrix.

2 basic elements of connective tissue

extracellular matrix and cells

Extracellular Matrix of CT

Consists of protein fibers and ground substance

Ground Substance

May be fluid (like in blood), semifluid, gelatinous, or calcified. Supports cells and binds them together. Contains polysaccharides known as GAGs.

Macrophages

defensive cells. Engulf and destroy pathogens through phagocytosis.

Plasma Cells

Small cells that develop from white blood cells. Secrete antibodies and attack foreign substances in the body. Defensive cells.

Mast Cells

Cells that produce histamine as part of the inflamatory response. Abundant alongside the blood vessels that supply connective tissue.

Adipocytes

Fat cells that store triglycerides (fats)

White blood cells

Protective cells, not that common in CT but can migrate from blood into the tissues to kill infections.

3 types of fibers in CT

collagen, elastic, reticular

Collagen fibers

Impart Strength. Very strong fibers that resist tension but are not stiff, which allows tissue flexability. Often occur in parallel bundles. Made up of the protein collagen whihc is the most abundant protein in the body (25%).

Elastic Fibers

Impart stretchability and elasticity. Rebound to their original shape. Smaller in diameter than collagen fibers.

Reticular Fibers

Network of fibers for strength. Creates a net-like framework for shape and support.

Loose Connective Tissue

Fibers in matrix are loosely arranged between cells. Types are areolar, adipose, and reticular CT.

Dense Connective Tissue

Contain more fibers which are thicker and more densely packed. Have considerably fewer cells than other types of CT. 3 types: regular, irregular and elastic CT.

Cartilage

Consists of a dense network of collagen fibers and elastic fibers embedded in chondoitin sulfate, a gel like component of ground substance. Can endure lots of stress. Resiliency and strength is due to collagen fibers. 3 types: hyaline, fibrocartilage, ela

2 types of membranes

Epithelial and Synovial

2 types of epithelial membranes

Muscous and Serous

Mucous Membrane

Barrier to the outside world where no skin is already covering. Lines body cavities that open directly to the exterior.

Serous Membrane

Line body cavities that do not open to outside world. Consists of simple squamous epithelium (mesothelium) and areolar CT.

Parietal Layer of Membrane

Lines the cavity wall with serous membrane

Viseral Layer

Lines the organs inside a cavity with serous membrane

Synovial membrane

Does not have an epithelium. Located in cavities of freely moving joints. Contains areolar CT, elastic fibers and adipocytes.

Synovial Fluid

nurishes and lubricates the cartilage on the joint surfaces.

Cutaneous Membrane

Skin that covers surface of the body and consists of epidermis (superficial portion) and dermis (deeper portion).