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Week 1 - Cells & Organelles > Histology > Flashcards

Histology Flashcards

1
Q

Define histology ?

A

Histology is the study of microscopic structures of biological tissues

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2
Q

Define a cell

A

Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms

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3
Q

List the two types of cells and describe a distinct feature of each

A
  • Prokaryotes = no nucleus such as bacteria
  • Eukaryotes = cytoplasm and nucleus - human cells
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4
Q

Describe the structure and function of the plasma membrane

A
  • physical barrier
  • selectively permeable
  • sensitive to the environment
  • provides cell with support
  • specialisations (cilia)
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5
Q

Describe structure and function of Nucleus

A
  • Double layer capsule which stores DNA
  • most cells contain 1
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6
Q

Describe the structure of cytoplasm and its continents

A
  • cytoskeleton - network of proteins which provides structure and support
  • cytosol - intracellular fluid
  • Organelles - ribosomes (makes proteins) , mitochondria, ER, Golgi apparatus
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7
Q

Define a tissue

A

Tissue group of similar cells which work together to carry out a common function

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8
Q

List the two types of tissue and describe their differences

A
  • Parenchyma = working tissue - carries out a specific function
  • Stroma = scaffold and nutrition
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9
Q

Define organ

A

Composed of several tissue types which all have a morphologically recognisable structure and performs specific sets of functions

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10
Q

List the 4 main types of tissues and their functions

A

Connective tissue = protects and supports , fat, blood and cartilage

Epithelia - covers/ lines body surfaces

Muscle - cells contract to generate force

Nervous - generate electrical signals in response to the environment

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11
Q

How are most cells within tissue jointed

A
  • through ECM material between the cells
  • Cell junctions which allows cells to be joined to other cells and remain the structure
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12
Q

Define metastasis

A

The spread of a disease producing agent from primary producing site to a distanced area of section of the body.

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13
Q

List the 4 stages of tissue processing for histology

A
  • fixation
  • embedding
  • sectioning
  • staining
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14
Q

Explain what happens at the fixation stage of tissue processing

A

Fixation
- freezing at - 80 degrees (dry ice or liquid nitrogen)
- preserves tissue which prevents further breakdown
- chemical fixation (aldehyde based) - binds proteins that harden tissue and prevents enzyme from breaking down tissue further p

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15
Q

Explain the process of the embedding stage of tissue processing

A

Embedding
- frozen sample is placed in paraffin wax which allows ease of sectioning
- water in tissue requires replacement of Zylin, with fat (lipids) removed

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16
Q

Explain the process of sectioning

A
  • tissue is split into smaller sections
  • thinner the slice the higher the resolution
  • allows more to be views in 2D
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17
Q

Explain the process of staining

A
  • better to see the tissue under microscope
  • ## wax is rehydrated and used as a stain
18
Q

Name the 2 most common stains & what they stain

A
  • Haematoxylin ( basic positively charged) and stains acidic structures (basophilic) purplish blue colour e.g. Nucleus
  • Eosin (acidic negatively charged) stains basic structures (acidophilic) red or pink e.g. cytoplasm
19
Q

What is PAS used to stain

A

PAS stains complex carbohydrates and glycogen

  • Tissue stained with is PAS positive
  • PAS stains the liver as lots of glycogen - magenta colour
  • Stains mucus, basement membrane and brush border of the intestine
20
Q

Define epithelial tissue

A
  • Covers and protects surfaces outside and inside the body
  • Cells are polarised and sit on the basement membrane
  • epithelia tissue is not vascularised
    -Lines internal cavities and blood vessels, respiratory, digestive and urinary or reproductive organs
  • Forms glandular structures
  • forms barriers
  • combines with nervous tissue - forms special senses (smell and hearing)
21
Q

List functions of epithelial tissue

A
  • prevents water retention - cells closely packed together
  • acts as a water barrier - abrasive skin has many layers
  • epithelial tissue found in glands which is discharged and released into blood
22
Q

What is the function of covering epithelia

A
  • covers and lines body surfaces, cavities and tubes
23
Q

What is the function of glandular epithelia

A
  • Secretory epithelia which forms glands
  • invagination of epithelia
  • contributes to glandular organs - salivary glands
24
Q

List of the two type of glands in glandular epithelia

A
  • Exocrine glands = retain continuity with surface (ducts)
  • Endocrine glands = lose contact with surface and secrete directly into the blood stream ( thyroid gland)
25
List the number of layers the epithelial tissue has and how many layers in each
- simple = single layer - absorption, secretion and fragile - stratified = 2 or more layers of cells - protection - Pseudo-stratified = one layer with a mixture of cell shapes
26
List the shape of the cells and structure of each
- squamous = flat - Cuboidal = cube - Columnar = tall, cylindrical - Transitional = readily changes shape - accommodates
27
Describe the structure and function of simple squamous epithelia
Simple squamous; - single layer of flat hexagonal cells - Nuclei appear flat Function - Mainly diffusion, filtration, secretion and absorption - small barrier against friction
28
Where is simple squamous located
- linking of blood vessels and heart - Alveoli - Lining of serous membranes of the body cavities - Lining of some kidney tubules
29
Describe the structure and function of simple cuboidal epithelia
Simple cuboidal epithelia Structures - single layer of cube shaped cells - some cells have microvilli Function - Diffusion - Secretion - Absorption
30
List the location of simple cuboidal epithelia
- kidney tubules - Glands and their ducts - lining of terminal bronchioles of the lungs - Surfaces of the ovaries
31
Describe the structure and function of simple columnar epithelia
Simple columnar columnar structure - single layer of tall narrow cells - cells have cilia - bronchioles of lungs, auditory tubes, uterus - cells have microvilli (intestines) Function: - Movement of substances - absorption - secretion - more protection than flatter cells
32
State the locations of simple columnar epithelia
- glands and other ducts - bronchioles of the lungs - auditory tubes -uterus - uterine tubes - stomach - intestine - gallbladder - bile ducts - ventricles of brain
33
Describe the structure and function of Stratified squamous epithelia
Structure - Multiple layer of cells which are cubed shaped in basal layer - cells flatter at the surface - Keratinised and non- keratinised Function: - Protects against abrasion - Barrier against infection - reduces water loss from body
34
State the location of stratified squamous epithelia
- Keratinised (skin) - Non- Keratinised (mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, anus, vagina, inferior urethra and cornea)
35
Describe another characteristic of Keratinised stratified epithelia on skin
Cytoplasm of cells at surface are replaced with protein keratin - dead cells - keratinised epithelium (extra top layer which provides moisture). This is a superficial layer of cells have keratin. Dead cells makes the skin thicker - soles of feet increased pressure & abrasion.
36
Describe the structure and function of Pseudo-stratified Epithelia
Structure -Single layer - some cells reach free surface - Nuclei at different levels so appears stratified - Almost always ciliated and associated with goblet cells - secrete mucus Function - synthesise and Secrete mucus - moves mucus or liquid which has foreign particles over the surface
37
State the location of Pseudo-stratified Epithelia
Lining of nasal cavity Nasal sinuses Auditory tubes Pharynx Trachea Bronchi of lungs
38
Describe the structure and function of transitional epithelia
Stretched structure - squamous and flattened Not stretched - cuboidal and columnar When stretched the number of layers decrease from 5/6 to 2/3 - cells shift over one another Function: - Accommodate for fluctuation - fluid in organs and tubes - tolerate stretching and recoil without damage - protects against caustic affects of urine
39
State the location of the transitional epithelia
- Lining of urinary bladder - uterus - superior urethra - pelvis of the kidney Structures where considerable expansion occurs
40
What is the main function of connective tissue
It supports and protects
41
Provide 2 examples of connective tissue
Blood vessels - brings nutrients and oxygen to other surrounding tissues and organs Cartilage - provides protection as it covers the joints surfaces between bone

Week 1 - Cells & Organelles (5 decks)

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