Chapter 5: Tissues and Membranes

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a common function.

Four main tissue types

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces and lines cavities, organs, and ducts.

Functions of epithelial tissue

Protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration.

Simple epithelium

A single layer of cells.

Stratified epithelium

Multiple layers of cells.

Squamous epithelium

Flat, thin cells.

Cuboidal epithelium

Cube-shaped cells.

Columnar epithelium

Tall, column-like cells.

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, connects, and binds other tissues and organs.

Adipose tissue

A type of connective tissue that stores fat.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue found in joints and various structures such as the nose and ears.

Bone tissue

Hard, dense connective tissue that forms the skeleton.

Blood tissue

A connective tissue composed of cells suspended in plasma that transports substances.

Muscle tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle found only in the heart.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle found in walls of internal organs.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that transmits electrical impulses and processes information.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals throughout the body.

Membranes

Thin sheets of tissue that cover surfaces, line cavities, and divide organs.

Mucous membrane

A membrane that lines cavities opening to the outside and secretes mucus.

Serous membrane

A membrane that lines closed body cavities and produces a lubricating fluid.

Synovial membrane

A membrane that lines joint cavities and produces synovial fluid.

Serous fluid

A lubricating fluid that reduces friction between organs and cavity walls.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

System

A group of organs working together to perform major body functions.

Tissue trauma

Damage to tissue caused by injury, surgery, or disease.

Regeneration

The replacement of damaged tissue with the same type of cells.

Fibrosis

The replacement of damaged tissue with scar tissue.

Scar tissue

Fibrous tissue that replaces normal tissue after an injury.

Epithelial regeneration

Epithelial cells dividing to replace lost or damaged cells.

Inflammation

The body’s response to tissue injury, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

apical side

the side of an epithelial cell that faces outwards and manages absorption and secretion

basal side

the side of an epithelial cell attached to the basement membrane and provides structural support

endocrine gland cells

epithelial cells that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

exocrine gland cells

epithelial cells that secrete substances into ducts that then secrete those substances externally or into organs (saliva, sweat, digestive enzymes)