Anatomy and Physiology: Tissue Types and Levels of Organization

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering the four major tissue types and the hierarchical levels of body organization from cells to the organism.

Tissue

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

Epithelial Tissue

A tissue type that covers body surfaces, lines internal organs, and forms glands.

Avascular

A characteristic of epithelial tissue meaning it contains no blood vessels; nutrients must diffuse from nearby tissues.

Squamous

Flat epithelial cells involved in rapid diffusion, such as those found in the lungs.

Cuboidal

Cube-shaped epithelial cells involved in secretion, such as those found in kidney tubules.

Columnar

Tall epithelial cells involved in absorption, such as those found in the intestines.

Connective Tissue

The most abundant tissue type in the body that supports, binds, protects, and connects other tissues.

Extracellular Matrix

The material located between cells in connective tissue which can be liquid, gel-like, or solid.

Adipose Tissue

A type of connective tissue (fat) used for energy storage, insulation, and protection.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that contracts to produce movement; its key characteristic is contraction (shortening).

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue attached to bones that is responsible for body movement.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found only in the heart.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue found in hollow organs like the intestines, blood vessels, and bladder.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that receives, processes, and transmits information throughout the body as its communication system.

Neurons

The functional nerve cells of nervous tissue that transmit electrical signals.

Dendrites

The structural part of a neuron that detects and receives signals.

Axon

The structural part of a neuron that carries signals away from the cell body.

Neuroglia (Glial Cells)

Support cells of the nervous system that protect, nourish, and maintain the environment for neurons.

Cell

The smallest living unit of the body and the basic structural and functional unit of life.

Cell Membrane

The outer boundary of the cell that protects it and controls what enters and leaves.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like material inside the cell that contains the organelles.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains DNA and directs cell activities.

Organ

A structure made of two or more tissue types that work together to perform a specific function.

Organ System

A group of organs working together to accomplish a major body function; there are 11 major systems in the body.

Organism

The complete living individual and the highest level of organization in the human body.