Tissues in Action: Complete Anatomical and Physiological Study Guide

Four primary types of animal tissue

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Primary function of epithelial tissue

Covers body surfaces, lines internal cavities and organs, and forms glands to provide protection, absorption, and secretion.

Tissue type specialized for contraction and generating movement

Muscle tissue

Three types of muscle tissue and their actions

Skeletal muscle (voluntary movement of bones), cardiac muscle (involuntary pumping of the heart), and smooth muscle (involuntary movement of internal organs).

Tissue type specialized for sensing stimuli and transmitting electrical impulses

Nervous tissue

Two main cell types found in nervous tissue

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

Connective tissue

Tissue type that supports, binds, protects, and insulates other tissues and organs, consisting of cells embedded in an extracellular matrix.

Examples of connective tissue in action

Bone (provides structural support), blood (transports nutrients and oxygen), adipose tissue (stores energy and insulates), and tendons (connect muscle to bone).