Tissues and Higher Order Structures

Flashcards covering the biological levels of organization, the four major tissue types, epithelial classification, and higher-order structures like organs and body cavities.

Emergent properties

New characteristics that appear at each level of biological organization which are not present until simpler units are combined.

Biological Levels of Organization

The hierarchy of biological complexity including: Subatomic particles, Atom, Molecule/Compound, Macromolecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism.

Tissue

A collection of cells of the same type that perform a common function.

Major tissue types

The four categories of tissue in the human body: Connective, Muscular, Nervous, and Epithelial.

Connective tissue

Tissue whose function is to bind and support parts of the body; it consists of widely spaced specialized cells, ground substance, and protein fibers.

Ground substance

The non-cellular component of connective tissue that ranges from solid to fluid.

Matrix

The combination of ground substance and protein fibers within connective tissue.

Examples of Connective tissue

Tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, blood, and adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue

A type of connective tissue where fat molecules are stored.

Muscle tissue

Tissue made of muscle cells that allows for movement in the body.

Skeletal muscle

Type of muscle tissue attached to bone.

Cardiac muscle

Type of muscle tissue found in the walls of the heart.

Smooth muscle

Type of muscle tissue found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the stomach.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that allows for communication to coordinate and control body activities, composed of Neurons and Neuroglia.

Neurons

The specialized nerve cells found in nervous tissue.

Neuroglia

The support cells found in nervous tissue.

Epithelial Tissue

Tightly packed cells that form a continuous layer to cover body surfaces and line body cavities, primarily for protection.

Squamous epithelium

Epithelial tissue characterized by irregular shaped flattened cells.

Cuboidal epithelium

Epithelial tissue characterized by cube-shaped cells.

Columnar epithelium

Epithelial tissue characterized by rectangular pillars or column-shaped cells.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of only one layer of cells.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of more than one layer of cells.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more tissue types organized to perform a specific function, such as the heart.

Organ system

A group of two or more organs that function together to perform a specific vital function, such as the Cardiovascular System.

Dorsal cavity

Body cavity that includes the Cranial cavity and Spinal cavity.

Ventral cavity

Body cavity that includes the Thoracic cavity and the Abdominopelvic cavity (Abdominal and Pelvic cavities).