Groups of cells which are similar in structure and which perform common or related functions
Types of muscle tissues
Skeletal muscle
Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Skeletal muscle
Location and function: found attached to the skeleton and is responsible for the voluntarymovement of bones
Structure: Skeletal muscle fibres are arranged in bundle, they are multinucleated (many nuclei), have obvious striations (stripes)
Smooth muscle
Location and function: found in the lining of internal organs (digestive system tract, blood vessels, uterus, eye etc), controls the involuntary constriction in for peristalsis in the digestive system, constriction of blood vessels pupil constriction
Structure: not striated, have a spindle shape, each fibre contains a single central nucleus
Cardiac muscle
Location and function: Found in the heart, Responsible for the rhythmic contraction of the heart
Structure: Fibres are branching, have intercalated discs cells for a synchronized contractions during heart beat, single nucleus per fibre
Nervous tissue
Function and location: Main component of the nervous system (ie brain , spinal column and nerves), Generates and transmits nerve impulses
Structure: Cells have many long processes (extensions), Large central nucleus, Two types of nervous tissue – neurons and glial cells (neuroglial cells)
Locations of epithelial tissue
Lines the cavities, tubes, ducts and blood vessels inside the body
Covers the organs inside body cavities
Makes up the skin, covers the outside of the body
Functions of epithelial tissue
Protection from physical & chemical injury
Protection against microbial invasion
Contains receptors which respond to stimuli
Filters, secretes & reabsorbs materials and secretes fluids to lubricate structures
Squamous epithelium
Simple – one cell thick
Forms solid layer of cells which line blood vessels, body cavities & cover organs in body cavities
Stratified – multiple layers
Forms epidermis (skin)
Cuboidal epithelium
Simple – one cell thick
Roughly cube shaped
Line ducts in kidneys, etc, where reabsorption and secretory activities take place
Columnar epithelium
Simple – one cell thick
Column shaped (long & narrow)
Line digestive tract where reabsorption & secretion occurs
Functions of connective tissue
Connects, binds and supports structures
Protects & cushions organs and tissues
Insulates (fat) and
Transports substances (blood)
Storesnutrients
Structure of connective tissue
Cells are nottightly packed together
Cells are separated from each other by a large amount of non-cellular material called the matrix
Matrix is made up of a ground substance (usually a fluid) and protein fibres
Adipose connective tissue
Structure: Honeycomb appearance, Large amount of ground substance and less fibres
Function: Stores energy (fat), Insulates, Supports & protects organs
Bone connective tissue
Structure: Tree ring-like appearance, Little ground material, Hard matrix
Function: Supports & protects, Mineral storage, Fat storage, Blood cell production
Cartilage connective tissue
Structure: Contains specialized cells called chondrocytes within the matrix
Function: Gives shape, support and structure to other body tissues, Types of cartilage based on their structure
Blood connective tissue
Structure: Fluid connective tissue, No fibres, Only ground substance (plasma) and blood cells
Function: Transports gases and nutrients, Immune response (white blood cells)
Loose connective tissue
Structure: Large amounts of ground substance and few fibres, Includes adipose and areolar and reticular tissue
Dense connective tissue
Structure: Contains more collagen fibres than loose CT so shows a greater resistance to stretching
Epithelium characteristics- closely attached to each other forming a protective barrier.
Can have lots of nerves in it
Very good at regenerating
Stratified epithelium-stacked up cell layers (protection from rubbing)