Unit 3 & Chapter 14 Review – Tissues, Membranes, Lymphatic & Immune Systems

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms from Unit 3 (Tissues & Membranes) and Chapter 14 (Lymphatic & Immune Systems).

Tissue

A group of similar cells arranged in a characteristic pattern and specialized for specific tasks.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands; avascular and may contain goblet cells or cilia.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports and forms the framework of the body; ranges from loose areolar to bone and blood.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized to contract and produce movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that senses, conducts, and processes information; found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Squamous Epithelium

Flat, scale-like epithelial cells; example: alveoli of lungs (simple squamous).

Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped epithelial cells; example: glandular ducts and kidney tubules (simple cuboidal).

Columnar Epithelium

Tall, rectangular epithelial cells; example: lining of the gastrointestinal tract (simple columnar).

Transitional Epithelium

Epithelial cells that change shape when stretched; lines the urinary bladder.

Simple Epithelium

Single layer of epithelial cells specialized for absorption, secretion, or diffusion.

Stratified Epithelium

Multiple layers of epithelial cells that protect against friction; example: skin, mouth lining.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Single layer that appears stratified; often ciliated; example: tracheal lining.

Goblet Cell

Mucus-secreting epithelial cell commonly found in respiratory and digestive tracts.

Cilia

Hair-like projections on some epithelial cells that move fluids or particles across surfaces.

Areolar (Loose) Connective Tissue

Elastic, loosely woven tissue that fills spaces between organs.

Adipose Tissue

Fat-storing connective tissue derived from areolar tissue; composed of triglycerides.

Dense Fibrous Connective Tissue

Tough connective tissue rich in collagen; forms tendons and ligaments.

Cartilage

Semi-rigid connective tissue with collagen bundles; cushions joints.

Bone Tissue

Hardest connective tissue; provides structural support and protects organs.

Blood (Circulating Connective Tissue)

Liquid connective tissue that transports gases, nutrients, wastes, and cells.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones for body movement.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle forming the heart wall.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle in vessel walls and digestive tract.

Neuron

Nervous tissue cell with axons and dendrites that transmits electrical impulses.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells of nervous tissue that protect and nourish neurons.

Endocrine Gland

Ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream; e.g., thyroid, adrenal, pituitary.

Exocrine Gland

Gland that releases secretions through ducts to body surfaces or organs; e.g., salivary, sweat, sebaceous.

Membrane

Thin sheet of tissue that lines, covers, or separates structures.

Serous Membrane

Simple squamous epithelium with connective tissue that lines body cavities (parietal) and covers organs (visceral).

Pleurae

Serous membranes lining the thoracic cavity and covering the lungs.

Serous Pericardium

Serous membrane that encloses the heart.

Peritoneum

Largest serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs.

Mucous Membrane

Epithelium with goblet cells that lines body tubes opening to the exterior; secretes mucus.

Cutaneous Membrane

Skin; outer layer of stratified squamous epithelium with connective tissue beneath.

Synovial Membrane

Connective tissue membrane lining joint cavities and bursae; secretes lubricating synovial fluid.

Fibrous Pericardium

Tough connective tissue membrane surrounding the heart.

Periosteum

Fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bones.

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissue guarding the pharynx against inhaled or ingested pathogens.

Thymus

Lymphatic organ where T cells mature; secretes thymosin.

Spleen

Largest lymphatic organ; filters blood and destroys old red blood cells.

Lymphatic Capillary

Microscopic vessel that absorbs tissue fluid (lymph) and proteins from interstitial spaces.

Lymphatic Vessel

Vessel that transports lymph toward the heart; contains valves; passes through lymph nodes.

Right Lymphatic Duct

Duct that drains lymph from the right head, neck, thorax, and right upper limb into the right subclavian vein.

Thoracic Duct

Main lymphatic duct that drains lymph from the rest of the body into the left subclavian vein.

Lymph Node

Bean-shaped structure that filters lymph and houses immune cells; enlargement suggests infection.

Lymph

Clear fluid formed from plasma that bathes tissues; returns proteins, fluids, and fats to the bloodstream.

Innate (Nonspecific) Immunity

Immediate defenses such as skin, mucus membranes, inflammation, fever, phagocytosis, and natural killer cells.

Adaptive (Specific) Immunity

Slower, antigen-specific immunity mediated by T and B lymphocytes; has memory.

Antigen

Any substance that triggers an immune response by being recognized as foreign.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

Adaptive response carried out by T cells that destroy infected or abnormal cells.

Helper T Cell

T cell that releases cytokines to activate B cells, cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages.

Cytotoxic T Cell

T cell that directly kills virus-infected or abnormal cells.

Memory T Cell

T cell that provides rapid response upon re-exposure to a specific antigen.

Regulatory T Cell

T cell that suppresses immune responses to prevent overactivity.

Humoral (Antibody-Mediated) Immunity

Adaptive response in which B cells produce antibodies that target specific antigens.

Plasma Cell

Activated B cell that secretes large quantities of antibodies.

Active Immunity

Protection produced by one’s own immune system after antigen exposure or vaccination.

Passive Immunity

Short-term protection obtained by receiving pre-made antibodies (e.g., immunoglobulin injection, maternal antibodies).

Natural Active Immunity

Immunity acquired by contracting and recovering from an illness.

Artificial Active Immunity

Immunity produced by vaccination with an antigen.

Natural Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired when antibodies pass from mother to fetus or through breast milk.

Artificial Passive Immunity

Immunity obtained by injection of antiserum or immunoglobulins.