Body Tissues and Histology Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive practice questions covering the embryonic origin, classification, structure, and repair of the four primary body tissues based on lecture notes.

What is the definition of a tissue?

A group of cells with a common embryonic origin that work together to perform specialized functions.

Which germ layer serves as the origin for nervous tissue and part of epithelial tissue?

Ectoderm

From which germ layer do connective tissue and most muscle tissue originate?

Mesoderm

What are the $4$ basic tissue types found in the human body?

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous

What is the difference between cell differentiation and cell specialization?

Differentiation is the process where an unspecialized cell becomes specialized through gene expression, while specialization is the resulting state of having a unique structure and function.

Why is epithelial tissue described as being avascular?

It contains no blood vessels and must receive nutrients by diffusion from underlying connective tissue.

What is the function of the basement membrane in epithelial tissue?

It is a thin layer made of proteins and carbohydrates that anchors the epithelium to connective tissue and acts as a filter and barrier.

Which cell junction on the lateral surface allows for communication between neighboring cells?

Gap junctions

Which junction provides strong connections between cells like little rivets?

Desmosomes

Where is pseudostratified columnar epithelium typically located in the body?

The respiratory tract

What is the primary function of transitional epithelium found in the urinary bladder?

Stretching and returning to its original shape

How do endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands?

Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, whereas exocrine glands secrete products through ducts onto body surfaces or into organ lumens.

What are the two main components of the extracellular matrix ($ECM$) in connective tissue?

Ground substance and protein fibers

Which type of connective tissue fiber is thin, branching, and made mainly of $\text{Type III}$ collagen?

Reticular fibers

What are the major cell types for bone and cartilage respectively?

Osteocytes for bone and chondrocytes for cartilage

Where is hyaline cartilage located in the body?

Ends of long bones, trachea, costal cartilage, fetal skeleton, and epiphyseal plates.

What is the physical connection made by a ligament versus a tendon?

Ligaments connect bone to bone, while tendons connect muscle to bone.

What are the three specific characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue?

Striated (visible stripes), multinucleated, and voluntary control.

Which structures are unique to cardiac muscle and contain gap junctions for pumping blood?

Intercalated discs

What are the two major functional characteristics of neurons?

Irritability and conductivity

What is the role of the Myelin sheath and the Nodes of Ranvier in a neuron?

The Myelin sheath insulates the axon to speed up transmission, and the Nodes of Ranvier allow for rapid saltatory conduction.

What is the difference between regeneration and fibrosis in tissue repair?

Regeneration is the replacement of destroyed tissue with the same type of tissue, while fibrosis is replacement with dense fibrous connective tissue resulting in scar formation.

Which category of tissue regenerates readily, such as skin or bone marrow?

Labile tissue

Define the term hyperplasia and provide a pathological example mentioned in the text.

Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number causing organ enlargement; an example is Cushing disease involving adrenal cortex hyperplasia.

What is atrophy?

A decrease in tissue or organ size due to cell shrinkage.