ANA 109 Exam 2: Tissues, Membranes, and Integumentary System

Epithelial Tissue

A major class of tissue consisting of tightly packed cells, avascular structure, and continuous renewal; functions in secretion, absorption, lining of spaces, and filtration (e.g., skin, lining of organs).

Connective Tissue

A major class of tissue containing extracellular matrix between cells, protein fibers, and variable capacity to renew (e.g., tendons, ligaments, blood, bone).

Muscle Tissue

A major class of tissue that undergoes contraction to provide movement (e.g., skeletal, smooth, cardiac).

Nervous Tissue

A major class of tissue that functions in communication via electrical impulses (e.g., brain, nerves, spinal cord).

Gap Junctions

Tiny tunnels that allow for quick transmission of electrical and chemical signals to adjacent cells.

Desmosomes

Cellular connections that anchor cells to the basement membrane, preventing shearing of cells while allowing some movement.

Tight Junctions

Cellular connections that act like a suction cup to form tight seals between cells.

Epithelial Cell Shapes

The three major shapes used to classify epithelial cells: Squamous (flat), Cuboidal (square/cube), and Columnar (tall/rectangular).

Epithelial Cell Arrangements

The two main cell layer arrangements used to classify epithelial tissues: Simple (one layer) and Stratified (multiple layers).

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of one layer of flat cells that functions in diffusion; representatively located in the lungs.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of one layer of square cells that functions in secretion; representatively located in kidney tubules.