Plant and Animal Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to plant and animal tissues as discussed in the lecture notes.

Tissue

A cluster of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

Plant Tissue

Groups of plant cells that cooperate to accomplish functions such as growth, photosynthesis, or transport.

Meristematic Tissue

Actively dividing plant tissue whose cells enable length and diameter growth.

Apical Meristem

Meristem located at shoot and root tips; responsible for primary (lengthwise) growth.

Lateral Meristem

Meristem found along stems and roots; drives secondary (thickness) growth.

Intercalary Meristem

Meristem in nodes/internodes that aids vertical elongation of plants.

Permanent Tissue

Plant cells that have lost the ability to divide and are specialized for support, storage, or conduction.

Simple Permanent Tissue

Permanent tissue composed of one cell type; includes parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

Complex Permanent Tissue

Conducting tissue composed of more than one cell type, e.g., xylem and phloem.

Parenchyma

Oval or round living cells with thin walls and large intercellular spaces; provide storage and basic support.

Collenchyma

Elongated living cells with unevenly thickened walls; give mechanical support and flexibility, especially in tendrils.

Protective Tissues

Plant tissues (epidermis and cork) that shield internal structures from water loss, pathogens, and injury.

Epidermis (Plant)

Outer protective single cell layer with stomata for gas exchange and transpiration.

Cork

Dead, suberized outer tissue replacing epidermis in mature stems/roots; impermeable to gas and water.

Xylem

Complex tissue that transports water and dissolved minerals; contains tracheids, vessels, fibres, and parenchyma.

Phloem

Complex tissue that transports food; composed of sieve tubes, companion cells, fibres, and parenchyma.

Animal Tissue

Specialized groups of animal cells organized to perform particular body functions.

Epithelial Tissue

Thin sheets covering body surfaces and lining cavities, organs, and glands.

Squamous Epithelium

Flat, scale-like epithelial cells specialized for diffusion or filtration.

Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped epithelial cells often engaged in secretion or absorption.

Columnar Epithelium

Tall, column-like epithelial cells that line digestive tract and other organs.

Transitional Epithelium

Stratified epithelium capable of stretching, found in urinary bladder.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that binds, supports, and protects organs; characterized by abundant extracellular matrix.

Loose Connective Tissue

Type of connective tissue with loosely arranged fibers; cushions organs and stores fluids.

Areolar Tissue

Loose connective tissue with collagen and elastic fibers; holds organs in place.

Adipose Tissue

Connective tissue storing fat for energy, insulation, and cushioning.

Reticular Tissue

Loose connective tissue forming a supportive network in lymphoid organs.

Dense Connective Tissue

Tissue with densely packed collagen fibers; forms tendons, ligaments, and dermis.

Cartilage

Firm, flexible connective tissue lacking blood vessels; types include hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage.

Hyaline Cartilage

Glass-like cartilage covering joint surfaces and forming embryonic skeleton.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage with abundant elastic fibers, providing flexibility (e.g., ear pinna).

Fibrocartilage

Tough cartilage rich in collagen; resists compression (e.g., intervertebral discs).

Bone Tissue

Rigid connective tissue containing mineralized matrix; supports and protects body structures.

Compact Bone

Dense outer layer of bone providing strength and protection.

Spongy Bone

Porous bone inside ends of long bones; houses red marrow.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue composed of plasma, cells, and platelets; transports substances and defends the body.

Muscle Tissue

Highly cellular, vascular tissue capable of contraction to produce movement.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones; enables body movement and posture.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle of the heart; maintains blood circulation.

Smooth Muscle

Non-striated, involuntary muscle in walls of organs; drives peristalsis and other internal movements.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that detects stimuli, transmits impulses, and coordinates body activities.

Neuron

Functional unit of nervous tissue consisting of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Neuroglia

Supporting cells of the brain and spinal cord that nourish and protect neurons.

Neurosecretory Cells

Specialized neurons that release hormones directly into the bloodstream (e.g., in hypothalamus).

Sperm Cell

Motile male gamete with a tail and hyaluronidase enzyme for reaching and penetrating the oocyte.

Oocyte

Haploid female gamete produced after puberty that unites with sperm to form a zygote.

Stem Cell

Undifferentiated parent cell capable of giving rise to any specialized cell type.

Rods and Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect light (rods) and color (cones).

Erythrocyte

Red blood cell that transports oxygen via hemoglobin.

Platelets

Cell fragments in blood that initiate clotting and prevent bleeding.