Histology - Bio201 Module 1 (Saladin Chapter 5)

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular structures, the four primary tissue types, subtypes of epithelial and connective tissue, muscle and nervous tissue characteristics, cellular junctions, glands, and membranes from Bio201 Chapter 5.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific role in an organ.

Matrix

Extracellular material made of fibrous proteins and ground substance.

Ground substance

Component of the matrix that can be made of water, gases, minerals, nutrients, wastes, hormones, and other chemicals.

Plasma membrane

Membrane that encloses a cell and controls what goes in and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

Thick gel-like fluid that fills a cell and holds all the organelles and nucleus.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that produces ATP.

Lysosome

Organelle described as the stomach of the cell, containing enzymes to digest foreign matter, pathogens, and expired organelles.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue made of layer(s) of closely spaced cells with the upper surface exposed to the environment or internal space, serving for protection, secretion, and absorption.

Avascular

Lacking blood vessels within tissues.

Basement membrane

A layer on the bottom of epithelial tissue that anchors it to the underlying connective tissue.

Basal surface

Epithelial cell surface facing toward the basement membrane.

Apical surface

Epithelial cell surface facing away from the basement membrane, toward the environment or internal space.

Simple squamous epithelium

Single row of thin cells that permits rapid diffusion or transport of substances and secretes lubricating fluid.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Single layer of square or round cells functioning in absorption, secretion, mucus production, and movement of respiratory mucus.

Simple columnar epithelium

Single row of tall, narrow cells functioning in absorption and mucus secretion, often featuring microvilli or cilia.

Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Tissue that looks multilayered but where all cells touch the basement membrane, containing cilia and goblet cells to secrete and propel mucus.

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Multilayered tissue where surface cells are dead, flat, scaly, contain keratin, and are coated with water-repellent glycolipid to resist abrasion and prevent water loss.

Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Multilayered tissue lacking a surface layer of dead cells, maintaining a moist, slippery surface that resists abrasion and pathogen penetration.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Tissue composed of two or more cell layers with square or round surface cells that secretes sweat and produces sperm and ovarian hormones.

Urothelium

Multilayered epithelium with surface cells that change from round to flat when stretched, allowing filling of the urinary tract.

Connective tissue

Tissue made of cells in a matrix, often specialized to support and protect organs and to bind other tissues and organs together.

Fibroblast

A cell that produces the fibers (collagen) and ground substance that forms the matrix of connective tissue.

Collagenous fibers

Fibers made of the protein collagen that are tough, flexible, and stretch-resistant.

Reticular fibers

Thin collagen fibers that form a spongelike framework for organs and form part of the basement membrane for epithelial tissues.

Elastic fibers

Fibers made of the protein elastin that are able to stretch and recoil like a rubber band.

Areolar tissue

Loose connective tissue with loosely organized fibers of all types and abundant blood vessels that loosely binds epithelia to deeper tissues.

Reticular tissue

Loose connective tissue consisting of a mesh of reticular fibers forming a supportive framework for lymphatic organs.

Adipose tissue

Loose connective tissue made of adipocytes with very little extracellular matrix, functioning as a primary energy reservoir, insulation, and organ cushioning.

Dense regular connective tissue

Connective tissue with densely packed, parallel collagen fibers and few blood vessels that resists pulling in one direction.

Elastic tissue

Dense connective tissue containing elastin and collagen fibers that allows tissue to stretch and return to its original shape.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Connective tissue with densely packed, randomly arranged collagen fibers that withstands physical stresses in all directions.

Cartilage

Avascular connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers in a gel-like ground substance that shapes and supports structures.

Chondroblast

A cell that produces cartilage matrix.

Chondrocyte

A mature cartilage cell.

Hyaline cartilage

Cartilage with a clear, glassy appearance due to fine collagen fibers that provides a smooth surface for joint movement and holds airways open.

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage containing an abundance of elastic fibers covered with perichondrium that provides flexible, elastic support.

Fibrocartilage

Strongest cartilage type containing large, thick bundles of collagen fibers that resists compression and absorbs shock.

Osseous tissue

Hard, calcified connective tissue made of collagen fibers and mineral salts that composes the skeleton.

Osteocyte

A mature bone cell.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue traveling through blood vessels, composed of formed elements suspended in liquid plasma matrix.

Neurons

Nerve cells specialized to detect stimuli, respond quickly, and rapidly transmit electrical and chemical information to other cells.

Neuroglia

Glial cells that protect and support neurons, accounting for most of the volume of nervous tissue.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated muscular tissue composed of long, thin, unbranched cells with multiple nuclei.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscular tissue found in the heart wall made of short, branched cardiomyocytes joined by intercalated discs.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscular tissue composed of short, fusiform-shaped cells with a single central nucleus.

Tight junction

Cellular junction that completely encircles an epithelial cell near its apical surface to prevent substances from passing between cells.

Desmosome

Patch-like cellular junction consisting of protein plaques and hook-like proteins that prevents cells from pulling apart under mechanical stress.

Hemidesmosome

Half-desmosome structure that attaches epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane.

Gap junction

Communicating junction formed by ring-like connexons with a pore allowing small solutes and electrical signals to pass between cells.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood.

Exocrine glands

Glands that release their secretions through a duct or tube onto an epithelial surface or into an organ cavity.

Cutaneous membrane

Membrane consisting of stratified squamous epithelium on connective tissue that forms the skin and resists body dehydration.

Mucous membranes

Internal moist membranes lining body passages open to the exterior environment, consisting of epithelium, connective tissue, and smooth muscle.

Serous membrane

Internal membrane composed of simple squamous epithelium on areolar tissue that secretes lubricating serous fluid inside closed body cavities.