Topic 3 part II: Connective, muscular and nerve tissue

• What are the four types of tissue in the body?

  Connective, muscular, nervous, epithelial
• What are the general features and functions of connective tissue?

  • Abundant and widely distributed
  • Binds, supports, and strengthens other tissues
  • Protects and insulates internal organs
  • Compartmentalizes structures
  • Transports substances (e.g., blood)
  • Stores energy reserves (adipose tissue)
  • Site of immune responses
• What are the main components of connective tissue?

  Cells and extracellular matrix
• What is the extracellular matrix composed of?

  Protein fibers and ground substance
• What are fibroblasts?

  Large, flat cells in connective tissues
• What is the role of macrophages in connective tissue?

  Phagocytes involved in immune response
• What do mast cells do?

  Involved in inflammatory response
• What are adipocytes?

  Fat cells in connective tissue
• What are the three types of fibers in the extracellular matrix?

  1. Collagen fibers
  2. Elastic fibers
  3. Reticular fibers
• What are the functions of collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers?

  • Collagen: Provides strength and support
  • Elastic: Allows tissue to stretch and recoil
  • Reticular: Supports blood vessel walls and soft organs
• What are the types of connective tissue?

  1. Loose connective tissue

  • Areolar, adipose, reticular

  1. Dense connective tissue

  • Dense regular, dense irregular, elastic
• What is cartilage and its types?

  • Dense network of collagen or elastic fibers
  • Types of cartilage:

  1. Hyaline cartilage
  2. Fibrocartilage
  3. Elastic cartilage
• What are the functions of bone tissue?

  • Supports soft tissues
  • Protects delicate structures
  • Stores calcium and phosphorus
  • Produces blood cells
  • Houses triglycerides
• What is the definition of tissue membranes?

  Flat sheets of pliable tissue
• What are the two broad categories of tissue membranes?

  1. Connective tissue membranes (e.g., synovial)
  2. Epithelial membranes (e.g., mucous, serous, cutaneous)
• What are mucous membranes and where are they found?

  • Line cavities opening to the exterior
  • Found in digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems
• What are serous membranes and their function?

  • Line cavities not opening to the exterior
  • Cover organs within those cavities
• What are synovial membranes and where are they located?

  • Line cavities of some joints
• What are the characteristics of muscular tissue?

  • Elongated muscle fibers
  • Specialized to generate force
  • Produces motion, maintains posture, generates heat
• What are the three types of muscular tissue?

  1. Skeletal muscle
  2. Cardiac muscle
  3. Smooth muscle
• What are the characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue?

  • Multinucleated
  • Striated appearance
  • Voluntary control
• What are the characteristics of smooth muscle tissue?

  • Spindle-shaped
  • Shorter than skeletal muscle fibers
  • Involuntary control
• What are the characteristics of cardiac muscle tissue?

  • Striated and organized into sarcomeres
  • One nucleus per cell
  • Connected by intercalated discs
• What are the two principal types of cells in nervous tissue?

  1. Neurons
  2. Neuroglia
• What is the function of neurons?

  • Convert stimuli into nerve impulses
  • Conduct impulses to other cells
• What is the role of neuroglia?

  • Support and protect neurons
  • Do not conduct nerve impulses
• What are the functions of astrocytes in nervous tissue?

  • Regulate ion concentration
  • Uptake neurotransmitters
  • Form blood-brain barrier
• What is the process of tissue repair?

  • Inflammation is the initial response
  • Tissue repair replaces damaged cells
  • New cells originate from stroma or parenchyma
• What is fibrosis in tissue repair?

  • Formation of scar tissue by fibroblasts
• How does aging affect tissue healing?

  • Tissues heal slower and leave more scars
• What changes occur in tissues with aging?

  • Loss of calcium in bones
  • Decreased fluid in cartilage
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Rigid blood vessels and airways
  • Slower nerve impulse transmission
• What is Sjögren's syndrome?

  • Multisystem inflammatory disorder
  • Causes dryness and affects glands
• What are some symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome?

  Dryness of skin and mucosal surfaces
• What are some complications associated with Sjögren's syndrome?

  Risk of lymphoma and cognitive disturbances
• What are the effects of aging on connective tissue?

  • Changes in extracellular components
  • Loss of elasticity and strength