Basic Tissues - Humans

Question 1

What are the functions and locations of the epithelium?

Answer 1

Functions:
-separation of internal and external environments

Locations:
-Outer coverings, lining of gut, respiratory, urogenital system (reproductive and urinary system combined) + derivatives

Question 2

What are the functions and locations of the connective tissue?

Answer 2

Functions:

• strength
• Support
• Wrapping & binding
• Packing & space filling
• Wound healing
• Infection control

Locations:
-Widespread, as specific tissues and as parts of other structures
eg bone, tendon, dermis etc
-often embedded in extracellular matrix

Question 3

What are the functions and locations of muscle?

Answer 3

Functions:
-generates movement/heat

Locations:

• Skeletal muscle
• hearts
• widespread

Question 4

What are the functions and locations of nerves?

Answer 4

Functions:
-communication

Locations:

• CNS
• PNS
• widespread

Question 5

Describe cardiac muscle

Answer 5

• individual cells connected end to end

- contractile sheet around the heart around the centre squeezes and causes contractions

Question 6

Describe smooth muscle

Answer 6

Acts on involuntary functions:
-Control of gut movements
-Blood vessel diameter
-Uterine contraction in childbirth
-Hair stand on end
etc

Question 7

What are the 3 types of muscle?

Answer 7

• skeletal
• cardiac
• smooth

Question 8

What is extracellular matrix?

Answer 8

Fibres embedded in a ‘ground substance’
Fibres:
Collagen (tensile strength, don’t break/branch)
Elastic fibres (stretch and recoil, branched)
Ground substance:
complex glycosaminoglycans (sugary molecules) attached to proteins (proteoglycans)

Question 9

How does fibre and glycosaminoglycan/proteoglycan composition
give the extracellular matrix its mechanical properties?

Answer 9

Connective tissue cells:

a) Make the matrix
b) Sense loading on matrix
c) Modify matrix according to load

They are also hydrostatic meaning they will react with charged molecules a.k.a water, which will be taken in. Water is incompressible = compression resistance

Question 10

What are the 3 types of connective tissue?

Answer 10

1.Connective tissue proper
Tendon/ligament/dermis, loose CT,
Pigmented CT, blood (?) 
May be on its own or be part of other
structures

2. Cartilage, skeletal, supportive
3. Bone skeletal, supportive