Cellular Differentiation and Tissue Types

A set of flashcards focused on key concepts, definitions, and processes related to cellular differentiation and the variety of tissue types in the body.

The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions is called __.

Differentiation

The embryonic cells that arise from the division of the zygote are described as __ because they can differentiate into any type of cell.

totipotent

Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into any type of human tissue but cannot support full __ of an organism.

development

A __ stem cell has the potential to differentiate into different types of cells within a given cell lineage.

multipotent

The primary mechanism by which genes are turned “on” or “off” is through __.

transcription factors

Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to __ and repair cellular damage.

regenerate

A __ membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, organs, and internal cavities.

tissue

The four main tissue types in the human body are epithelial, connective, __, and __.

muscle; nervous

Epithelial cells are highly _, with little or no extracellular material present between them.

cellular

In the case of muscle tissue, __ muscle is under voluntary control, whereas cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary.

skeletal

The __ is the layer that separates epithelial tissue from the underlying connective tissue.

basement membrane

Cancer derived from epithelial cells is referred to as __.

carcinomas

The connective tissue proper includes loose and __ connective tissue.

dense

_ is a type of cartilage that provides strong support with some flexibility.

Hyaline cartilage

In fluid connective tissue, blood and lymph are examples where cells circulate in a __ extracellular matrix.

liquid

The cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, pain, and __.

local heat

The _ matures into neurons and glial cells during the development of the nervous system.

neural stem cells

The study and medical treatment of the integumentary system is called __.

Dermatology

The skin's primary functions include resistance to trauma and infection, other barrier functions, Vitamin D synthesis, sensation, thermoregulation, and __.

nonverbal communication

The three main layers of the skin, from superficial to deep, are the epidermis, dermis, and __.

hypodermis

The epidermis is a keratinized stratified __ epithelium.

squamous

The epidermal cells that synthesize keratin are called __.

keratinocytes

The epidermal cells that synthesize melanin pigment and shield DNA from ultraviolet radiation are __.

melanocytes

Touch receptor cells in the stratum basale, associated with dermal nerve fibers, are known as __.

Tactile cells

Macrophages originating in bone marrow that guard against pathogens are called __.

Dendritic cells

The layers of the epidermis in thin skin include the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and stratum __.

corneum

In thick skin, an additional layer called the stratum __ is found between the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum.

lucidum

The deepest layer of the epidermis, consisting of a single layer of stem cells and keratinocytes, is the stratum __.

basale

The layer of the epidermis that consists of three to five layers of flat keratinocytes containing dark-staining keratohyalin granules is the stratum __.

granulosum

The thickest primary layer of the skin, composed primarily of collagenous connective tissue, is the __.

dermis

The superficial zone of the dermis, characterized by thin areolar tissue and allowing mobility of leukocytes, is the __ layer.

papillary

The deeper and thicker layer of the dermis, composed of dense irregular connective tissue, is the __ layer.

reticular

The tissue layer beneath the dermis, composed of more areolar and adipose tissue, which binds skin to underlying tissues and insulates the body, is the __.

hypodermis

Skin color is primarily determined by __, a pigment produced by melanocytes.

melanin

The brownish-black form of melanin is called __, while the reddish-yellow form is called pheomelanin.

eumelanin

Unique, unchanging patterns on the fingertips that help sense surface texture and manipulate small objects are known as __.

friction ridges

Flat, melanized patches on the skin are called __, while elevated, melanized patches often with hair are called moles or nevi.

freckles

Patches of discolored skin resulting from benign tumors of dermal capillaries are known as __.

hemangiomas

Burns that affect only the epidermis are classified as __ degree burns.

first

Burns that involve the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, causing blistering, are __ degree burns.

second

Burns that destroy the epidermis and the entire dermis, potentially requiring skin grafts, are __ degree burns.

third

Constant pressure on the skin that reduces blood flow and leads to tissue necrosis can cause __, also known as decubitus ulcers.

bedsores

The most common form of skin cancer, originating from cells in the stratum basale, is __ carcinoma.

Basal Cell

The most dangerous form of skin cancer, which arises from melanocytes and can metastasize rapidly, is __.

Melanoma

The accessory organs of the skin, hair and nails, are mostly composed of dead, keratinized cells packed with __ keratin.

hard

The fine, downy, unpigmented hair on a fetus is called __.

lanugo

The longer, coarser, and more pigmented hair found on the eyebrows, eyelashes, scalp, and pubic areas is __ hair.

terminal

The active growth center of a hair, immediately above the dermal papilla, is the hair __.

matrix

The innermost layer of a hair, consisting of loosely arranged cells and air spaces, is the __.

medulla

The muscle that attaches to a hair follicle and causes the hair to stand on end, creating 'goosebumps,' is the __ muscle.

piloerector

Nails are clear, hard derivatives of the stratum __.

corneum

The visible attached part of the nail is the nail __.

body

The growth zone of the nail, located at its proximal end, is the nail __.

matrix

The opaque white crescent at the proximal end of the nail, due to the thickness of the matrix, is called the __.

lunula

The narrow zone of dead skin overhanging the nail, commonly known as the cuticle, is the __.

eponychium

The most numerous skin glands, producing watery perspiration for cooling the body, are the __ sweat glands, also known as eccrine glands.

merocrine

Sweating with visible wetness of the skin, which can result in significant fluid loss, is called __.

diaphoresis

Sweat glands located in the groin, anal region, axilla, and areola, which become active at puberty and produce a thicker sweat, are __ sweat glands.

apocrine

The disagreeable body odor produced by bacterial action on sweat from apocrine glands is called __.

bromhidrosis

Glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum through holocrine secretion, keeping skin and hair from drying, are __ glands.

sebaceous

Modified apocrine glands located in the external ear canal that produce earwax are __ glands.

ceruminous

Milk-producing glands that develop during pregnancy and lactation are __ glands.

mammary