tissues Flashcards
what are the 4 types of tissue?
connective tissue
nervous tissue
muscle tissue
epithelial tissue
characteristics of epithelial tissue
- highly cellular
- bind to each other and to the basememnt membrane via adhesions or junctions
- avascular -> lacks blood vessels
- can be regenerated
- can be derived from all 3 germinal layers (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm)
why are epithelial cells polarised?
they have distinct cell surfaces that differ structurally and functionally
what do polarised epithelial cells form?
a continuous layer that protects and seperates the inside of our bodies from the outside environment
what are the three surfaces of epithelial cells?
- free apical surface
- lateral surface
- basal surface
free apical surface
- not attached to other cells
- often lines the lumen of ducts and cavities
- projects towards external surface / lumen
lateral surface of epithelial cells
- attached to other epithelial cells
- orients perpendicularly to the apical and basal membranes
basal surface / basal epithelial cells
attached to the basement membrane
basement membrane
- attaches epithelia to underlying tissues
- seperates tissue and protects them from mechanical stress
e.g. seperates layers of stratified squamous epithelial cells from lamina propria
apical specialisations
- microvilli
- stereocilia
- cilia
microvilli
cytoplasmic protrusions
- often found on epithelium lining internal passages
- increases surface area e.g. intestines
stereocilia
similar to microvilli but longer
- non-motile
- limited distribution to epididymis/vas deferens & sensory cells in the ear
- male reproductive tract
cilia
motile hair-like protrusions
- hundreds per cell
- coordinated beats to move substances
- found in respiratory epithelium & fallopian tubes
- reduced cilia movement -> less mucous movement = reduced protection against bacteria
what are tissues?
group/layer of specialised cells that work together and perform certain functions
- all types of tissues are present in most organs
- they each consist of cells and extracellular materials
basolateral specialisations
epithelial cells are very cohesive and close together.
- specialisations = junctions (between cells and underlying basememt membrane)
these junctions help to: - maintain polarised state
- join cells together
- exchange information and metabolites
occluding/tight junctions
seals cells together to prevent leaking
located at top of cell - closer to microvilli
- zona occludens = apical part of lateral domain, almost fusing two cells together
anchoring junctions
mechanically attaches cells to the neighbouring cells
abundant in tissues that experience extreme stress e.g. skin / cardiac muscle
- zona adherens= strong junctions that join cells at lateral domains
- hemidesmosome = strong at basal domain to allow the stable adhesion of basal epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane
communicating/gap junctions
allows the passage of chemical or electrical signals through the cell
epithelial cell functions
- protecting underlying structures
- allowing passage of certain substances
- barrier to prevent movement of unwanted substances
- secretion of substances
- provide sensations
classification of epithelial cells
number of layers
- simple = single layer -> good for absorption
- stratified = 2 or more layers -> good for protection
- pseudostratified = 1 layer of a mixture of cell shapes
shapes of cells
- squamous = flat
- cuboidal = cube shape
- columnar = tall cylindrical shaped
- transitional = readily change shape -> stretching
surface specialisations
- cilia
- keratin
epithelial tissue names
= number of layers + shape of cell at free surface
simple squamous
structure:
- single layer
- flat, hexagonal cells
- flat nuclei
function:
- diffusion
- secretion and absorption
- barrier / protection against friction
location:
- lining of blood vessels & heart & alveoli…
simple cuboidal
structure:
- single layer, cube-shaped cells
- some have microvilli or cilia
function:
- diffusion
- secretion & absorption
- movement of particles in mucous out of e.g. bronchioles by ciliated cells
location:
- kideny tubules
- glands
- lining of terminal bronchiolesn in lungs
- ducts and areas where secretion occurs in small glands
lamina propria
loose connective tissue found under thin layer of tissues covering a mucous membrane
simple columnar
structure:
- single layer of tall, narrow cells
- some microvilli or cilia
function:
- movement of substances
- absorption & secretion
- more protection that the flat squamous cells
location:
- glands and some ducts
- brochioles of the lungs
- stomach, intestines..
stratified squamous
structure:
- multiple layers of cells that are cube-shaped in basal layer and get flatter towards the surface
- nonkeratinized (moist) or keratinized
- thicker = protection
function:
- protection against abrasion
- barrier against infection
- reduced water loss
location:
- keratinized = skin
- non-keratinized = mouth, larynx, anus…
stratified cuboidal
structure:
- multiple layers of cube-shaped cells
function:
- secretion & absorption
- protection against infection
location:
- rare
- sweat gland ducts
- ovarian follicular cells, salivary gland ducts
stratified columnar
structure:
- multiple layers of cells with tall, thin cells on layers of more cube-shaped cells
- ciliated in larynx
function:
- protection
- secretion but NO ABSORPTION
location:
- mammary gland ducts
- larynx
pseudostratified columnar
structure:
- single layer (some reach free surface, some do not)
- nuclei at different levels
- appears stratified
- almost always ciliated & associated to goblet cells
function:
- synthesize, secrete & move mucous
location: - lining of nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea
transitional epithelium
- cell shape & number of layers depend on how stretched it is
- non stretched = cuboidal or columnar
- stretched = flattened or squamous
- as stretches -> cells shift on one another so number of layers decreases
- accomodate fluctuations in volume of fluid in organs or tubes
- protection against caustic effects of urine -> lining of urinary bladder
keratin
nonkeratinized (moist) = layers of fluid covering outermost layers of cells
-> mouth, throat, anus, vagina
keratinized = living cells in deepest layers, outer layers contain keratin (dead)
-> tissue = dry, durable, moisture-resistant
-> skin, gums…
has extra protection e.g. from burns
keratin: tough and fibrous protein
-> forms intermediate filaments that give structure to epithelial cells
smoking
normal columnar epithelium -> squamous metaplasia
connective tissue
- abundant
- makes up part of every organ in the body
- cells seperated by extracellular matrix
- connections and support (ligaments and tendons, bone and cartilage)
- cushioning, insulation &storage (adipose tissue)
- transport (blood)
- provides environment where exchange of nutrients and gases can occur
types of connective tissue
- connective tissue proper (loose, dense)
- supporting connective tissue (cartilage, bone)
- fluid connective tissue (blood, haemopoietic tissue)
tendons
bone to muscle
ligaments
bone to bone