Cells and Tissues Exam Prep

Four major tissue types

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Epithelial tissue

Forms sheets that cover or line the body.

Connective tissue

Provides structural and functional support.

Muscle tissue

Contracts to produce movement.

Nervous tissue

Senses, conducts, and processes information.

Epithelial cell arrangement

Categorized as simple or stratified.

Epithelial cell shapes

Squamous, cuboidal, columnar, transitional, and pseudostratified.

Extracellular matrix (ECM)

Material surrounding relatively few cells in connective tissue.

Areolar connective tissue

Fibrous glue (fascia) that holds organs together.

Adipose connective tissue

Specialized for lipid storage and metabolism regulation.

Reticular connective tissue

Delicate net of loose collagen fibers found in bone marrow.

Dense fibrous connective tissue

Bundles of strong collagen fibers, such as tendons.

Bone connective tissue

Support and protection with a calcified matrix.

Cartilage connective tissue

Gristle-like gel matrix maintained by chondrocytes.

Blood connective tissue

Fluid matrix providing transportation and protection.

Skeletal muscle tissue

Striated and voluntary muscle attached to bones.

Cardiac muscle tissue

Striated, involuntary muscle making up the heart wall with intercalated discs.

Smooth muscle tissue

Nonstriated, involuntary muscle found in blood vessels and tube-shaped organs.

Neurons

Nerve cells characterized by a cell body, an axon, and dendrites.

Glia (neuroglia)

Special connecting and supporting cells in nervous tissue.

Three main parts of the cell

Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.

Plasma membrane structure

Selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins.

Ribosomes

Tiny subunits that manufacture proteins ("protein factories").

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Collects, folds, and transports proteins made by ribosomes.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Synthesizes chemicals and makes new membrane.

Golgi apparatus

Flattened sacs that process and package proteins from the ER.

Mitochondria

Power plants of the cell that produce ATP.

Lysosomes

Membrane-enclosed packets containing digestive enzymes.

Cellular extensions

Microvilli, cilia, and flagella.

Nucleus

Central cell structure containing the genetic code (genome).

Passive transport

Movement across membranes without cellular energy (diffusion, osmosis, filtration).

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Filtration

Movement of water and solutes caused by hydrostatic pressure.

Active transport

Cellular processes requiring energy, like ion pumps and endocytosis.

Phagocytosis

"Cell eating"; engulfing large particles in a vesicle.

Pinocytosis

"Cell drinking"; engulfing fluids or dissolved substances.

Exocytosis

Process of releasing substances out from cells.

Mitosis phases

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Differentiation

Process by which daughter cells specialize to form different tissues.

Atomic number

Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Ionic bonds

Chemical bonds formed by donating and accepting electrons.

Covalent bonds

Chemical bonds formed by sharing outer energy electrons.

Dehydration synthesis

Chemical reaction where water is removed to form larger molecules.

Hydrolysis

Chemical reaction where water is added to break molecules apart.

Acid

Substance that shifts H+/OH- balance in favor of H+ (pH below 7).

Base

Substance that shifts H+/OH- balance against H+ (pH above 7).

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made of monosaccharides that store energy.

Triglycerides

Lipids made of one glycerol and three fatty acids for energy storage.

Phospholipids

Lipids with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails forming cell membranes.

Enzymes

Functional protein catalysts that help chemical reactions using a lock-and-key model.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Double-helix nucleic acid serving as the cell's master code.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

Single-stranded nucleic acid acting as a temporary gene copy.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

Modified nucleotide acting as an energy-transfer battery.

Anterior / Ventral

Directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior / Dorsal

Directional term meaning toward the back.

Supine

Positional term meaning lying face upward.

Prone

Positional term meaning lying face downward.

Sagittal plane

Plane that divides the body into right and left sides.

Brachial region

Body region referring to the arm.

Homeostasis

Relative constancy of the internal body environment.

Negative feedback loop

Homeostatic mechanism that opposes a change in a condition.

Positive feedback loop

Homeostatic mechanism that amplifies a change in a condition.

Thoracic cavity

Body cavity containing the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Body cavity containing the digestive and reproductive organs.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Plane that divides the body into front and back portions.

Transverse plane

Plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Superficial vs. Deep

Toward/at the body surface versus away from the body surface.

Proximal vs. Distal

Closer to point of attachment versus farther from point of attachment.

Integumentary system

Organ system consisting of skin, hair, and nails providing protection and regulation.

Skeletal system

Organ system providing structural support, protection, and blood cell formation.

Muscular system

Organ system responsible for body movement, posture, and heat production.

Nervous system

Organ system controlling rapid body responses via electrical impulses.

Endocrine system

Organ system using hormone-secreting glands for slow, long-lasting body regulation.

Cardiovascular system

Organ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels that transport nutrients, gases, and wastes.

Lymphatic and immune system

Organ system defending against pathogens, returning tissue fluid to the blood, and providing immunity.

Respiratory system

Organ system responsible for gas exchange, bringing in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

Digestive system

Organ system breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating undigested waste.

Urinary system

Organ system filtering blood to eliminate nitrogenous wastes and balance water and electrolytes.

Reproductive system

Organ system responsible for producing offspring and sex hormones.

Skin layers (Epidermis and Dermis)

The two primary layers making up the cutaneous membrane (integumentary system).

Axial vs. Appendicular skeleton

The two main divisions of the skeletal system; skull/spine/chest versus limbs/girdles.

Action potential

Rapid electrical fluctuation across a neuron's membrane during nerve impulse conduction.

Synovial membranes

Connective tissue membranes lining joint spaces that secrete lubricating synovial fluid.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; the primary organ of the integumentary system.

Serous membranes

Two-layered epithelial membranes lining closed body cavities (parietal and visceral layers).

Hypotonic solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the cell, causing water to enter and the cell to swell.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell, causing water to leave and the cell to shrink.

Isotonic solution

A solution with the same solute concentration as the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.