Tissues in Action

Vocabulary flashcards covering plant tissues (meristematic and permanent), animal tissues (epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous), types of joints, and the musculoskeletal system based on Chapter 3: Tissues in Action.

Tissue

A group of cells, similar in structure, that work together to perform a specific function.

Division of labour

The formation of different types of tissues to increase body efficiency and enable complex life processes.

Meristematic tissue

Plant tissue consisting of actively dividing cells that facilitate growth in length, girth, and regrowth.

Apical meristem

Growth zones located at the tips of roots and shoots that help plants grow in length.

Lateral meristem

Meristematic tissue arranged in a ring in the stem that leads to an increase in the diameter or girth of the plant.

Intercalary meristem

Tissue located at the base of internodes or nodes that helps plants regenerate after cutting or grazing.

Differentiation

The process by which meristematic tissue cells lose the ability to divide and become specialized in structure and function.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the plant body composed of a single layer of flat, tightly packed cells protected by a waxy layer called cutin.

Stomata

Pores in the leaf epidermis that facilitate gaseous exchange and transpiration.

Parenchyma

Simple permanent tissue with thin-walled living cells that stores food and performs photosynthesis.

Collenchyma

Living plant tissue with unevenly thickened corners due to pectin, providing support and flexibility.

Sclerenchyma

Tissue with thick, lignified walls that makes plants hard and strong; most of these cells are dead at maturity.

Xylem

Complex conducting tissue that transports water and minerals from roots to other plant parts; consists of tracheids, vessels, parenchyma, and fibres.

Phloem

Complex conducting tissue that transports food from leaves to other plant parts; consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, parenchyma, and fibres.

Epithelial tissue

Animal tissue that forms the outer body covering and lines internal organs, protecting against injury and microbes.

Connective tissue

Tissue that connects and supports other tissues, characterized by cells embedded in a watery, jelly-like, or hard matrix.

Tendon

A strong, flexible band of connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Ligament

Connective tissue that connects bone to bone, providing stability and preventing dislocation.

Cartilage

A connective tissue with a soft, jelly-like matrix that provides flexibility and cushions bone ends.

Voluntary movements

Movements under conscious control carried out by skeletal muscles attached to the skeleton.

Involuntary movements

Automatic body movements, such as the beating of the heart (cardiac muscle) or food movement in the intestine (smooth muscle).

Neuron

The structural unit of nervous tissue, consisting of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Musculoskeletal system

A system made of bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that helps the body move and maintain posture.

Totipotency

The ability of certain mature plant cells to undifferentiate, divide, and redifferentiate into an entire organism.

Adult human skeleton weight percentage

On average, the adult human skeleton makes up about $12-15\%$ of total body weight.