Topic IV.

CELL TYPES and FUNCTIONS Wk 4-5

INTRODUCTION
Specialized cell types that make up animal tissues. The four major tissue types of
animals are discussed: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, nervous tissue, and muscle
tissue. These tissues are derived from embryonic endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm.
Epithelial tissue has components derived from all of the germ layers (endoderm,
ectoderm, and mesoderm). It protects other tissues from dehydration and damage, and
provides a selective barrier for molecules. In addition, it forms specialized secretory
structures called glands. Epithelial tissue can be simple, a single layer, and stratified,
which is formed of multiple layers.
Connective tissues are derived from mesoderm and divided into connective tissue
proper and special connective tissue. Connective tissues are composed of diffuse cells
imbedded in an extracellular matrix usually made of protein fibers.
Nerve tissue is composed of neurons and supporting cells derived from ectoderm.
They are capable of conducting an electrical current that is used to integrate body
functions through cell to cell communication. Muscle tissue is derived from mesoderm
and has a property called contractibility. These cells possess a network of actin and
myosin proteins that permit cell contraction.

MOTIVATION
A. Find out what cell types ;
makes up epithelial tissue-
B. Specialized connective tissues include…
C. What are the three general types of muscles:

ORGANIZE
INSTRUCTION
A..TYPES OF CELLS

Stem cells can become different kinds of cells. They are able to divide and make copies
of themselves over and over. This way, they can take the place of cells that are missing.
Scientists are studying new ways to use stem cells. They are using these cells to heal
organs, fix broken tissues and treat diseases.
There are two types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem
cells. Embryonic stem cells are from embryos. Generally used in a research setting,
embryonic stem cells are harvested from fertilised eggs. Adult (or somatic) stem
cells are present throughout the human body [amongst other specialised tissue cells].
They exist in order to repair and maintain surrounding specialised tissues. As these
cells are unspecialised, stem cell anatomy is that of a simple cell. Stem cells have a cell
membrane, surrounding the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm contains a nucleus,
mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes and
centrioles. The nucleus contains DNA and RNA, which are expressed when
differentiation occurs in the cell.
B. Bones are made of bone cells. There are three main types of bone cells in the body.
Osteoclasts break down bone so it can be reused by the body. Osteoblasts make
osteoid, which hardens to form bone. Osteoblasts later turn into osteocytes. These cells
also help to form bone and keep it healthy.
Cells of the blood are key to life. The three main types of cells in the blood are red blood
cells, white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen to other cells. White
blood cells destroy bacteria, viruses and other organisms that can hurt the body.
Vessels are the tubes in the body that carry blood. When you cut your finger and it
bleeds, a blood vessel has been broken. Platelets help to clot blood, making it hard. This
keeps us from losing too much blood.
Muscles are made of muscle cells. Skeletal muscle tissue attaches to bones, allowing us
to move as we please. Cardiac muscle cells form the muscles in the heart. These cells
help the heart with pumping blood. Cardiac muscles move without us telling them to
move. That is why it's called an involuntary muscle. Smooth muscle is another kind of
involuntary muscle. It forms the walls of many organs, like kidneys and intestines.
Fat cells, or adipocytes, contain droplets of stored fat. These can be used when we need
energy. When fat is being stored, fat cells swell and become round. When fat is being
used, these cells shrink.
The skin is made of many layers. The outer layer is called the epidermis and is made
up of flat cells. These cells are closely packed together. The epidermis sits on another
layer, called dermis. The skin protects the parts inside the body from damage. It also
blocks out germs, stores fat for energy and sweats if we're too dry.
Nerve cells, or neurons, are the basic units of the nervous system. Nerves send
messages between the the brain, the spinal cord
and various organs. A neuron has two major parts, a cell body and nerve processes. The
cell's body contains the neuron's nucleus, or center. Nerve processes are like fingers
that reach out to other neurons. They are called axons and dendrites.
Endothelial cells are on the inside of blood vessels and various organs. They can create
new vessels and help control the flow of blood.
Sex cells, or gametes, are reproductive cells. When two different sex cells come together,
they form a new life. Male sex cells, or sperm, can move by using their long tails.
Female sex cells, or ova, do not move and are larger than the sperm.
Cancer cells are cells that are sick. Usually, cells make copies of themselves until they
go through apoptosis. Apoptosis is the death of the cell. Cancer cells are able to skip
apoptosis. They multiply fast and spread to other parts of the body.

C. Type of tissues
 Four major types of tissue are identified in the body: epithelial, connective, muscle
and neural tissues.

1. Epithelial Tissue—This type of tissue is commonly seen outside the body as

coverings or as linings of organs and cavities. Epithelial tissues are characterized by
closely-joined cells with tight junctions (i.e., a type of cell modification). Being tightly
packed, tight junctions serve as barriers for pathogens, mechanical injuries, and fluid
loss.
Cells that make up epithelial tissues can have distinct arrangements:
a. cuboidal—for secretion
b. simple columnar—brick-shaped cells; for secretion and active absorption
c. simple squamous—plate-like cells; for exchange of material through diffusion
d. stratified squamous—multilayered and regenerates quickly; for protection
e. pseudo-stratified columnar—single layer of cells; may just look stacked because of
varying height; for lining
of respiratory tract; usually lined with cilia (i.e., a type of cell modification that
sweeps the mucus).
Of course there are many subtypes within these categories. For example epithelial
tissue may be squamous, cuboidal, columnar or glandular. Muscle may be skeletal,
smooth or cardiac. Connective tissue is quite varied and you should be aware of the
many different examples of tissue that are categorized as “connective”. For example,
blood, bone, dermis, cartilage and tendon are all connective tissue.

2. Connective Tissue—These tissues are composed of the following:

a. BLOOD —made up of plasma (i.e., liquid extracellular matrix); contains water,
salts, and dissolved proteins; erythrocytes that carry oxygen (RBC), leukocytes for
defense (WBC), and platelets for blood clotting.

b. CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER (CTP)—made up of loose connective tissue that

is found in the skin and fibrous connective tissue that is made up of collagenous fibers
found in tendons and ligaments. Adipose tissues are also examples of loose connective
tissues that store fats which functions to insulate the body and store energy.

c. CARTILAGE —characterized by collagenous fibers embedded in chondroitin sulfate.

Chondrocytes are the cells that secrete collagen and chondroitin sulfate. Cartilage
functions as cushion between bones.

d. BONE —mineralized connective tissue made by bone-forming cells called

osteoblasts which deposit collagen. The matrix of collagen is combined with calcium,
magnesium, and phosphate ions to make the bone hard. Blood vessesl and nerves are
found at a central canal surrounded by concentric circles of osteons.

3. Muscle Tissue—These tissues are composed of long cells called muscle fibers that
allow the body to move voluntary or involuntary. Movement of muscles is a response
to signals coming from nerve cells. In vertebrates, these muscles can be categorized
into the following:
a. skeletal—striated; voluntary movements
b. cardiac—striated with intercalated disk for synchronized heart contraction;
involuntary
c. smooth—not striated; involuntary

4. Nervous Tissue—These tissues are composed of nerve cells called neurons and glial
cells that function as support cells. These neurons sense stimuli and transmit
electrical signals throughout the animal body. Neurons connect to other neurons to
send signals. The dendrite is the part of the neuron that receives impulses from other
neurons while the axon is the part where the impulse is transmitted to other neurons.