Tissues and Cells Overview

A set of question-and-answer flashcards reviewing tissue categories, cell types, structures, and functions.

What are the four primary tissue types in the human body?

Epithelial, Muscle, Nervous, and Connective tissues.

Which tissue covers body surfaces and is specialized for protection, secretion, and absorption?

Epithelial tissue.

Name the three types of muscle tissue.

Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac muscle.

Which tissue conducts electrical signals and where is it primarily found?

Nervous tissue; found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

What is the main role of connective tissue?

To support, connect, and separate different tissues and organs in the body.

Which epithelial cell shape is thin and flat, making it ideal for diffusion?

Squamous cells.

Cube-shaped epithelial cells specialized for secretion and absorption are called _.

Cuboidal cells.

Tall, column-shaped epithelial cells involved in secretion and absorption are known as _.

Columnar cells.

Which epithelial cells can stretch and change shape depending on tension?

Transitional cells.

Long, cylindrical, striated cells responsible for voluntary movement are what type of muscle cells?

Skeletal muscle cells.

Spindle-shaped, non-striated cells that manage involuntary movement are called _.

Smooth muscle cells.

Branched, striated muscle cells with intercalated discs that power heart contractions are _.

Cardiac muscle cells.

Which nervous tissue cells transmit electrical signals?

Neurons.

What supporting cells protect, insulate, and assist neurons?

Glial cells.

Which connective tissue cells produce fibers and ground substance?

Fibroblasts.

What type of connective tissue cells store fat?

Adipocytes.

Cartilage-producing connective tissue cells are known as _.

Chondrocytes.

Bone-maintaining cells embedded in bone matrix are called _.

Osteocytes.

Which blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body?

Erythrocytes (red blood cells).

Which blood cells provide immune defense?

Leukocytes (white blood cells).

What key structural feature characterizes epithelial tissue cell arrangement?

Cells are tightly packed, forming continuous barriers.

List at least three functions of epithelial tissue.

Protection, secretion, absorption, excretion, filtration, diffusion, and sensory reception.

Which contractile proteins enable muscle tissue to generate force?

Actin and myosin.

Give three general functions of muscle tissue.

Movement, maintaining posture, and heat production.

In nervous tissue, what cellular extensions allow neurons to send and receive signals?

Axons (send) and dendrites (receive).

What two main components make up the extracellular matrix of connective tissue?

Fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular) and ground substance.

What are the two layers of the basement membrane?

Basal lamina and reticular lamina.

Which side of an epithelial cell layer faces a lumen or open space?

The apical surface.

Which muscle type operates under voluntary control?

Skeletal muscle.

What specialized structures in cardiac muscle synchronize heart contractions?

Intercalated discs.

Name three fiber types commonly found in connective tissue.

Collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers.

How do glial cells assist neurons besides protection?

They provide support, insulation (myelination), and help maintain the extracellular environment.