The Tissue Level of

Organization
Chapter 4
Dr. Aglaia Chandler
BIOL 2101
Types of Tissues
I. Epithelial Tissues: cover external & internal
surfaces
II. Connective Tissues: fill internal spaces
III. Muscle Tissue: contracts (movement)
IV. Neural Tissue: conducts electrical impulses
& carries information
I. Epithelial Tissues
A. Characteristics
1. cells are attached to each other
2. one surface is not attached to other cells
3. basal surface attached to connective tissue by basement membrane
4. avascular
5. epithelial cells either form sheets that cover body surfaces and line cavities
and organs or form glands
B. Functions
1. protection - intact epithelium serves as a barrier
2. transport - epithelial cells selectively move materials between compartments
3. produce glandular secretions
C. Intercellular connections - epithelial cells are held together by
1. intercellular cement
2. cell junctions -
a. tight junctions prevent the movement of molecules between the cells
b. gap junctions - small channels between adjacent cells allow the passage
of ions
c. desmosome - proteins anchored inside the cells hold two adjacent cells
together
D. Surface Modifications
1. Microvilli - fingerlike extensions of cell membrane that increase the
cells surface area
2. Cilia - hairlike extensions of the cell membrane that move materials across
the cells surface
I. Epithelial Tissues
E. Basement membrane
network of protein fibers
holds epithelium and connective tissue together
acts as a filter
F. Repair
epithelial cells have short life spans and are constantly replaced
epithelial tissues are easily repaired
I. Epithelial
Tissues
G. Types of epithelial sheets
there are three cell shapes: flat (squamous), cuboidal, columnar
they can be arranged in single (simple) or multiple (stratified) layers
G. Types of epithelial sheets
there are three cell shapes: flat (squamous), cuboidal, columnar
they can be arranged in single (simple) or multiple (stratified) layers
I. Epithelial Tissues
1. Simple Squamous Epithelium
Low
High
Nucleus
Location:
Types of Epithelial Sheets
alveoli of lungs, blood vessels ( including capillaries) and lymphatic vessels,
kidney glomerulus, lining of body cavities
1. Simple Squamous Epithelium
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Function: passage of materials where little or
no protection is needed: filtration, diffusion,
osmosis; secretion in serous membranes
Endothelium: simple squamous epithelium
that lines the interior of the blood vessels &
the heart
Kidney: Simple Squamous Epithelium
2. Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
Low
High
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Location: lines the lumen of ducts,
portions of kidney tubules, thyroid gland
Function: secretion & absorption
Kidney
Kidney
Kidney
Kidney-Collecting Tubule
Lung: simple squamous epithelium
1. Follicle Cells
2. Thyroglobulin Colloid
1
2
3. Simple Columnar Epithelium
Low
High
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Location: lining of stomach, intestine,
gallbladder, uterine tubes, collecting ducts
of kidneys
Function: secretion (mucus), absorption,
protection, movement of mucous layer
Sometimes have goblet cells (glands that secrete mucus) and
cilia that move mucus or reproductive cells (ovum in the uterine
tubes)
Simple Columnar-Gall Bladder
1. goblet cell
2. nucleus of columnar cell
3. microvilli
4. Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar
Epithelium
cilia
cilia
Goblet cells
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Location: lines the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi
portions of male reproductive tract
Function: secretion, protection, movement of mucus
4. Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar
Epithelium
A: basement membrane
B: cilia
C: nucleus
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Have goblet cells (glands that secrete mucus)
--only tall cells reach the
apical surface
--short cells give rise to
tall cells
-- nuclei at different levels
Trachea
Trachea
5. Stratified Squamous Epithelium
B: flattened cell at surface
Types of Epithelial Sheets
Location: surfaces of skin, lining of mouth, throat, esophagus, rectum,
anus, and vagina
Function: protection only
Types: nonkeratinized (esophagus) and keratinized ( skin)
Sweat Duct- Stratified Cuboidal ( swet glands,
mammary & salivary glands)
Stratified Cuboidal & Columnar Epithelia---Rare Types
6. Transitional Epithelium
A: Umbrella cells
Ureter
Types of Epithelial Sheets
It is similar to the stratified squamous epithelium but has the ability to stretch
Location: lines the urinary bladder, ureters and parts of kidneys
Function: permits distension
Transitional-Urinary Bladder
II. Connective Tissues
A. Components
1. cells: fibroblasts, fibrocytes, macrophages, mast cells
2. matrix
a. fibrous proteins
collagen
elastic
reticular
b. ground substance
B. Functions
1. support and protection
2. transport
3. energy storage
4. defense
Major Types
1. C.T. Proper:
cells = fibroblasts
ground substance is a viscous liquid
Ex.: areolar (loose c.t.), adipose, and dense c. t
2. Fluid: Blood
formed elements (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets)
suspended in plasma (liquid matrix)
3. Cartilage
cells are chondrocytes
cell cavities are called lacunae
ground substance is a firm gel that is flexible but strong
avascular
repair is very limited
Supporting Connective Tissue
4. Bone
cells are osteocytes
cell cavities are called lacunae, which are connected by tiny canals
(canaliculi)_
matrix consists of collagen fibers (35%) surrounded by crystals of
calcium phosphate (65%)
collagen provides tensile strength and minerals provide compression
strength
remodeling is constant
damaged tissue is easily repaired
Major Types
1. Areolar Connective
In the watery matrix (ground substance) observe the nuclei of fibroblasts (A),
collagen fibers (B) and elastic fibers (C).
Locations: beneath the skin and around blood vessels, muscles and nerves
Functions: binds one tissue to another (as skin connects to muscle),
protection and nourishment to the organs and structures it binds, and stores "body fluid"
Loose Areolar
C.T. Proper
1. Collagenous fibers
2. Elastic fibers
3. fibroblast
2. Dense Regular Connective
The micrograph above is at very low magnification.
To the left, at a much higher magnification, the fibroblasts (A)
are more clearly observed between the parallel collagenous fibers (B).
Locations: tendons and ligaments
Functions: strong flexible support
C.T. Proper
Tendon
3. Elastic Connective
This section of aorta shows a tremendous number of elastic fibers (A).
The fibroblasts are not visible. The light pink in this tissue is smooth muscle.
Location: large arteries, bronchial tubes
Function: Elastic fibers can stretch l 1/2 times their length and then recoil.
These fibers will provide elasticity to tissues.
C.T. Proper
4. RETICULAR CONNECTIVE
Observe that the reticular fibers (A) form a network or lattice in this spleen tissue.
Do not confuse this tissue with the elastic connective tissue
which has fibers that are parallel.
Locations: spleen, lymph nodes, liver
Function: gives support to soft organs
C.T. Proper
Aorta- an example of elastic tissue
5. ADIPOSE
Above observe adipose at a low magnification. The cells appear empty.
At the left observe that the nucleus (A) is pushed to the side of the cell
giving the cell the appearance of a signet ring. Cells are filled with fat globules (B).
Locations/functions:
-- Anywhere there is an empty space in the body fat is stored as a source of energy
and may provide insulation.
--The kidneys are correctly positioned and cushioned by adipose tissue.
--The eye is cushioned in the orbit by adipose.
C.T. Proper
Fluid CT: Blood
l
y
m
p
h
o
c
y
t
e
n
e
u
t
r
o
p
h
i
l
monocyte
platelets
Erythrocytes: Red blood Cells (RBC)
Leukocytes: White blood cells (WBC): neutrophil, basophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte,
monocyte
Thrombocytes: platelets
Blood
eosinophil
basophil
neutrophil
1. Hyaline Cartilage
At the left the bracket indicates the hyaline cartilage.
At the right this tissue is more highly magnified.
The chondrocytes (A) are located in lacunae (C).
The matrix (B) contain collagen fibers that are so fine they are not
visible in tissue preparations.
Locations: "C" rings in the trachea, nose, articular ends of bones, fetal skeleton
Function: precursor to bone, support
Cartilage
Supporting Connective Tissue:
Hyaline Cartilage
Cartilage Hyaline
2. Elastic Cartilage
Elastic cartilage is contained within the bracket at the left.
This tissue is more highly magnified at the right.
The chondrocytes (A) are contained in lacunae (C).
The matrix (B) contains abundant elastic fibers.
These fibers give great flexibility to this tissue.
Locations: ear, auditory canal, epiglottis
Functions: flexible support
Cartilage
Elastic Cartilage
1. Chondrocyte in lacunae
2. Elastic fibers
3. Fibrocartilage
These micrographs are of intervertebral disc tissue.
At the left fibrocartilage is found in the area between the parallel lines.
This cartilage type is recognized by chondrocytes (A) oriented in rows.
Even when the tissue is highly magnified (as at the right), the lacunae,
which hold the chondrocytes, are not visible. The matrix (B) contains
numerous fine collagen fibers. These fibers give the tissue durability.
Locations: pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs
Functions: supports, withstands compression
Cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Arrow is pointing to chondrocyte in lacunae
Fibrocartilage
Bone
In the compact bone micrograph at the left, several complete osteons are visible.
In the center of the osteon is the central canal (A)
which hold the blood vessels and a nerve. These canals are surrounded
by concentric rings of inorganic matrix, the lamellae (B).
Between the lamellae are bone cells, the osteocytes (C) located in lacunae.
Nutrients diffuse from cell to cell through the canaliculi (D).
Location: skeleton
Function: framework, protection
Supporting Connective Tissue:
Bone-Haversian System
III. Muscle Tissues
specialized for contraction (shortening)
moves the body or materials through the body
shortening caused by interaction between proteins (actin and myosin)
inside the muscle cells
Types of Muscle Tissues
A. Skeletal
attached to the skeleton
only contract when stimulated by somatic (voluntary)
nerve signals
partial repair can occur in damaged tissue
Types of Muscle Tissues
B. Cardiac
most of the heart wall is made of cardiac muscle
contraction pushes blood through the blood vessels
contraction is controlled both by intrinsic pacemaker cells and signals
from the autonomic nervous system
damaged cells are not regenerated, just replaced by fibrous tissue
C. Smooth
found in walls of organs (blood vessels, digestive organs, urinary tract,
respiratory tract, reproductive tract, dermis)
tissue can regenerate if injured
contraction triggered by stretching, autonomic nerve signals, or hormones
A. Skeletal Muscle
Cells are long, cylindrical, striated, and multinucleate
Skeletal Muscle
B. Smooth Muscle
Cells are short, spindle-shaped, and non-striated, with a single, central nucleus
B. Smooth Muscle
B. Smooth Muscle
C. Cardiac Muscle
Cells are short, branched, and striated, usually with a single nucleus.
Cells are interconnected by intercalated disc (gap junctions).
Cardiac Muscle
Cardiac Muscle: Gap J unctions
Cardiac Muscle: Gap J unctions
Cardiac Muscle: Gap J unctions
Low magnification
C. Cardiac Muscle: Striations
Cardiac Muscle
IV. Neural Tissue
A. Consists of:
1. neurons that conduct electrical signals throughout the body
2. neuroglia that perform support functions for the neurons
B. coordinates the activity of most other organs
Neural Tissue: Neuron