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Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Level of Organization

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  • What are the four major types of tissues in the body?

    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissues.

  • What are the primary functions of epithelial tissue?

    Protection, control permeability, sensation, and production of specialized secretions.

  • List the key characteristics of epithelial tissue.

    Polarity, cellularity, attachment to basement membrane, avascularity, and regeneration.

  • What is the role of microvilli and cilia on epithelial cells?

    Microvilli increase surface area for absorption or secretion; cilia move fluids over the epithelium.

  • Name the three main types of intercellular junctions in epithelial tissue.

    Gap junctions, tight junctions, and desmosomes.

  • What is the function of gap junctions?

    Allow passage of small molecules and ions between cells through interlocking connexons.

  • Describe the function of tight junctions in epithelial tissue.

    Prevent passage of water and solutes between cells, maintaining a barrier between lumen and underlying tissue.

  • What are desmosomes and their function?

    Cell adhesion structures that link cytoskeletons of adjacent cells, providing mechanical stability.

  • What is the basement membrane composed of?

    Basal lamina (selective filter) and reticular lamina (strength layer with reticular fibers and ground substance).

  • How are epithelia maintained and repaired?

    By continual division of stem cells located near the basement membrane.

  • How are epithelia classified based on cell shape?

    Squamous (flat), cuboidal (boxy), and columnar (tall and slender).

  • How are epithelia classified based on layers?

    Simple (single layer) and stratified (multiple layers).

  • What is the function of simple squamous epithelium and where is it found?

    Absorption and diffusion; found in lung alveoli, mesothelium, and endothelium.

  • What is the difference between keratinized and non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium?

    Keratinized has a layer of dead cells with keratin for water resistance; non-keratinized does not.

  • What are the functions of simple cuboidal epithelium?

    Secretion and absorption; found in glands and kidney tubules.

  • Describe transitional epithelium and its function.

    Cells change from cuboidal to squamous when stretched; allows repeated stretching without damage; found in urinary bladder.

  • What distinguishes pseudostratified columnar epithelium?

    Appears layered but is a single layer; often ciliated; found in respiratory tract.

  • What are the two main types of glands derived from epithelial tissue?

    Endocrine glands (hormone secretion into blood) and exocrine glands (secretion onto epithelial surfaces).

  • Name the three methods of exocrine gland secretion.

    Merocrine (exocytosis), apocrine (shedding cytoplasm), and holocrine (cell bursting).

  • What are the three main categories of connective tissue?

    Connective tissue proper, fluid connective tissues, and supporting connective tissues.

  • What are the primary functions of connective tissue?

    Structural framework, transport, protection, support, energy storage, and defense against microorganisms.

  • What are fibroblasts and their role in connective tissue proper?

    Most abundant fixed cells; secrete ground substance and protein fibers.

  • What types of fibers are found in connective tissue proper?

    Collagen (strength), reticular (support network), and elastic (stretch and recoil).

  • What is the function of areolar tissue?

    Loose connective tissue that cushions and stabilizes cells and supports epithelia.

  • What distinguishes dense regular connective tissue?

    Parallel collagen fibers providing strength; found in tendons and ligaments.

  • What is fascia and its layers?

    Connective tissue wrapping organs; includes superficial, deep, and subserous fascia.

  • What are the components of blood as a fluid connective tissue?

    Plasma (fluid matrix), red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

  • What are the three types of cartilage and their characteristics?

    Hyaline (common, flexible), elastic (flexible with elastic fibers), fibrocartilage (tough, collagen-rich).

  • How does cartilage grow?

    By interstitial growth (from within) and appositional growth (adding to surface).

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue?

    Skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated), and smooth (involuntary, nonstriated).

  • What are the main cell types in nervous tissue?

    Neurons (conduct electrical impulses) and neuroglia (supporting cells).