Human Biology Chapter 4 Terms

Tissue

Group of cells that are similar in form and perform related functions.

Histology

Microscopic study of tissue architecture, organization, and function.

Epithelial tissue

Type of tissue that serves primarily as a covering or lining of body parts, protecting the body; it also functions in absorption, transport, and secretion.

Connective tissue

Type of tissue that serves to hold in place, connect, and integrate the body's organs and systems.

Muscle tissue

Type of tissue that is capable of contracting and generating tension in response to stimulation; produces movement.

Nervous tissue

Type of tissue that is capable of sending and receiving impulses through electrochemical signals.

Totipotent

Embryonic cells that have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell and organ in the body.

Tissue membrane

Thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body, organs, and internal cavities.

Synovial membrane

Connective tissue membrane that lines the cavities of freely movable joints, producing synovial fluid for lubrication.

Mucous membrane

Tissue membrane that is covered by protective mucous and lines tissue exposed to the outside environment.

Serous membrane

Type of tissue membrane that lines body cavities and lubricates them with serous fluid.

Cutaneous membrane

Skin; epithelial tissue made up of stratified squamous epithelial cells that cover the outside of the body.

Cell junction

Point of cell-to-cell contact that connects one cell to another in a tissue.

Basement membrane

In epithelial tissue, a thin layer of fibrous material that anchors the epithelial tissue to the underlying connective tissue; made up of the basal lamina and reticular lamina.

Simple squamous epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of flat scale-like cells; promotes diffusion and filtration across surfaces.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells; promotes secretion and absorption in ducts and tubules.

Simple columnar epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of column-like cells; promotes secretion and absorption in tissues and organs.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of irregularly shaped and sized cells that give the appearance of multiple layers; found in ducts of certain glands and the upper respiratory tract.

Goblet cell

Unicellular gland found in columnar epithelium that secretes mucous.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Tissue that consists of multiple layers of cells with the most apical being flat scale-like cells; protects surfaces from abrasion.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Tissue that consists of two or more layers of cube-shaped cells, found in some ducts.

Stratified columnar epithelium

Tissue that consists of two or more layers of column-like cells, contains glands and is found in some ducts.

Transitional epithelium

Form of stratified epithelium found in the urinary tract, characterized by an apical layer of cells that change shape in response to the presence of urine.

Endocrine gland

Groups of cells that release chemical signals into the intercellular fluid to be picked up and transported to their target organs by blood.

Exocrine gland

Group of epithelial cells that secrete substances through ducts that open to the skin or to internal body surfaces that lead to the exterior of the body.

Extracellular matrix

Extracellular material produced by cells that contains ground substance and fibers.

Ground substance

Fluid or semi-fluid portion of the matrix.

Connective tissue proper

Connective tissue containing a viscous matrix, fibers, and cells.

Supportive connective tissue

Type of connective tissue that provides strength to the body and protects soft tissue.

Fluid connective tissue

Specialized cells that circulate in a watery fluid containing salts, nutrients, and dissolved proteins.

Fibroblast

Most abundant cell type in connective tissue; secretes protein fibers and matrix into the extracellular space.

Adipocyte

Lipid storage cell.

Collagen fiber

Flexible fibrous proteins that give connective tissue tensile strength.

Elastic fiber

Fibrous protein within connective tissue containing elastin that allows fibers to stretch and return to their original size.

Reticular fiber

Fine fibrous protein made of collagen subunits that cross-link to form supporting nets within connective tissue.

Adipose tissue

Specialized areolar tissue rich in stored fat.

Hyaline cartilage

Most common type of cartilage, smooth and made of short collagen fibers embedded in a chondroitin sulfate ground substance.

Fibrocartilage

Tough form of cartilage made of thick bundles of collagen fibers embedded in chondroitin sulfate ground substance.

Elastic cartilage

Type of cartilage with elastin as the major protein, characterized by rigid support as well as elasticity.

Skeletal muscle

Usually attached to bone, under voluntary control; each cell is a multinucleated, striated fiber.

Striation

Alignment of parallel actin and myosin filaments that form a banded pattern.

Cardiac muscle

Heart muscle under involuntary control, composed of striated cells; each cell contains a single nucleus and contracts autonomously.

Smooth muscle

Under involuntary control; moves internal organs. Cells contain a single nucleus, are spindle-shaped, and do not appear striated.

Neuron

Excitable neural cell that transfers nerve impulses.

Neuroglia

Supportive neural cells.

Inflammation

Response of tissue to injury.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death.

Clotting

Also called coagulation; complex process by which blood components form a plug to stop bleeding.

Cancer

Disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division that can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.