Compendium 2: Cell Structures and Primary Tissues

Flashcards covering cell organelles, fluid compartments, histology, and primary tissue types including detailed epithelial classifications.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit in living organisms.

Tissue

A group of similar cells and the extracellular materials surrounding them.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues with the aim of understanding their structure and function.

Haematoxylin

A histology stain that stains the cell nucleus (DNA) dark purple.

Eosin

A histology stain that stains cytoplasmic cell components pink.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid located inside the cell, representing approximately $2/3$ of total body fluid.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid located outside the cell, representing approximately $1/3$ of total body fluid.

Intravascular fluid

A division of extracellular fluid located inside blood vessels, making up approximately $20\%$ of the ECF.

Intercellular (Interstitial) fluid

A division of extracellular fluid found in the spaces between cells, making up approximately $80\%$ of the ECF.

Organelles

Structures specialised for a particular function, acting as individual workstations within the cell.

Nucleus

The control centre of the cell containing genetic material (DNA and chromatin) which encodes for proteins.

Nucleolus

The structure located within the nucleus that produces ribosomes.

Mitochondria

The energy powerhouse of the cell responsible for ATP production.

Ribosome

The site of protein synthesis.

Lysosome

Organelle containing digestive enzymes used to break down unwanted or old cell organelles and remove intracellular wastes.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

The site of protein synthesis and modification via ribosomes.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

The site of steroid, carbohydrate, and lipid synthesis, as well as detoxification of harmful substances.

Centrosome

A structure containing two centrioles involved in the growth of the mitotic spindle during cell division.

Golgi apparatus

Modifies, packages, and distributes proteins and lipids for secretion out of the cell or for use within the cell.

Plasma membrane

Structure that encloses and supports cellular contents, controls entry and exit, and participates in cell-to-cell communication.

Cytosol

Intracellular fluid containing a mixture of water, salts, dissolved ions, and organic molecules.

Cytoplasm

All cell components outside the nucleus but inside the plasma membrane, including the intracellular fluid and organelles.

Cytoskeleton

Consists of structural protein filaments that provide cell shape, strength, organelle stability, and assistance in cell movement.

Muscular tissue

Primary tissue that contracts with a force to cause movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth types.

Connective tissue

Diverse primary tissue with few cells and abundant extracellular material, used for connecting, supporting, and protecting organs.

Nervous tissue

Primary tissue specialised for information processing and signal conduction, consisting of neurons and neuroglial cells.

Epithelial tissue

Primary tissue that covers and protects surfaces inside and outside the body, characterized by many cells, a basement membrane, and being avascular.

Avascular

A term describing tissue that does not contain blood vessels, such as epithelial tissue.

Basement membrane

A support base and anchoring layer for epithelial cells that forms part of the epithelial barrier.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of a single layer of cells.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of more than one layer of cells.

Pseudostratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue that appears to have multiple layers but is actually a single layer with all cell bases sitting on the basement membrane.

Squamous

Epithelial cell shape describing thin, flat cells that appear like paving stones in surface view.

Cuboidal

Epithelial cell shape describing cube-shaped cells that appear square with large round nuclei.

Columnar

Epithelial cell shape describing tall cells, usually with ovoid nuclei toward their bases.

Transitional epithelium

A type of stratified epithelium found in the bladder and ureters that can change shape to allow for expansion.

Cilia

Appendages projecting from the cell surface that beat in an organised motion to move material across the cell surface.