Animal form and function

Question 1

What are the different types of connective tissue? How do the structures of their matrices support their function?

Answer 1

Loose – soft, fibrous matrix provides padding
Dense – fibrous matrix, connects (i.e. tendons and ligaments)
Supporting – firm matrix, supports/protects
Fluid – liquid matrix, transports

Question 2

Describe the different types of muscular tissue and whether they are controlled [in]voluntarily.

Answer 2

Skeletal – striated tissue facilitates muscle contraction (voluntary)
Cardiac – pumps blood throughout the body (involuntary)
Smooth – lines walls of digestive tract and blood vessels (involuntary)

Question 3

What function and structure do epithelial tissue have?

Answer 3

Epithelial tissue protects the outside of the body as well as the organs within the body and allows for selective absorption of water and nutrients from the blood. Epithelial tissue is polar, with an apical (outer) and basolateral (inner) layer of cells.

Question 4

How do animals regulate body temperature to maintain homeostasis?

Answer 4

Endotherms produce heat
Ectotherms acquire heat
Homeotherms maintain a constant body temperature
Heterotherms allow body temperature to vary

Question 5

How does counter-current exchange work?

Answer 5

In a counter-current system, heat (or oxygen) is exchanged from warm blood flowing out of the body core to cold blood flowing from the extremities, resolving most of the heat while maintaining homeostatic temperatures.