Work sheet 4

Classification of Tissues
Tissue Structure and Function: General Review

1. Define tissue: tissues are a group of cells that are similar in structure, and specialized to perform one
or more particular function.

2. Use the key choices to identify the major tissue types described below. (Some choices may be used
more than once.)

Key: connective epithelium muscular nervous

Epithelium 1. lines body cavities and covers the body’s external surface

Muscle 2. pumps blood, flushes urine out of the body, allows one to swing a bat

Nervous 3. transmits waves of excitation

Connective 4. anchors and packages body organs

Epithelium 5. cells may absorb, protect, or form a filtering membrane

Nervous 6. most involved in regulating body functions quickly

Muscle 7. major function is to contract

Connective 8. the most durable tissue type

Connective 9. abundant nonliving extracellular matrix

Nervous 10. forms nerves

Epithelial Tissue
3. On what bases are epithelial tissues classified? Epithelial tissues are classified according to the shape
of the cells and by the number of cell layers present in the tissue.
4. How is the function of an epithelium reflected in its arrangement? The functions of an epithelium are
protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration, which are reflected in its arrangement wherein the
formation of the cells in this tissue are tightly packed.
5. Where is ciliated epithelium found? The ciliated epithelium is found in the respiratory tract, lining in
the human trachea, bronchial tubes, and nasal cavity.
What role does it play? Ciliated epithelium performs the function of moving particles or fluid over the
epithelial surface.

6. Transitional epithelium is actually stratified squamous epithelium, but there is something special
about it. How does it differ structurally from other stratified squamous epithelia? It is called transitional
as its structure can change shape (for example, from cuboidal to squamous) when the organ stretches. It
is featured only in some parts of the urinary tract.
How does this structural difference reflect its function in the body? The ability of this epithelium to
change shape (transition from a rounded cuboidal shape to a flattened squamous structure) allows
these organs to stretch without exposing underlying tissue to the toxic substances in the urine.

7. Use the key choices to respond to the following. (Some choices may be used more than once.)

Key: pseudostratified ciliated columnar simple columnar simple cuboidal

simple squamous stratified squamous transitional

stratified squamous 1. best suited for areas subject to friction

simple columnar or simple cuboidal 2. propels substances across its surface

simple squamous 3. most suited for rapid diffusion

simple cuboidal 4. tubules of the kidney

pseudostratified ciliated columnar 5. lines much of the respiratory tract

transitional 6. stretches

simple columnar 7. lines the small and large intestines

stratified squamous 8. lining of the esophagus

transitional 9. lining of the bladder

simple squamous 10. alveolar sacs (air sacs) of the lungs

Connective Tissue
8. What are the components of the matrix in connective tissues? The matrix of the connective tissue is a
ground substance that is mostly composed of water, along with adhesion proteins and polysaccharide
molecules and fiber that includes collagen, elastin, fibrillin, fibulins, fibrinogen, fibronectin, laminin,
tenascins, and thrombospondins.

9. How are the functions of connective tissue reflected in its structure? Connective tissue protects and
supports other tissues and binds them together. The matrix provides strength and the fibers provide
support.

10. Using the key, choose the best response to identify the connective tissues described below.

Key: adipose connective tissue areolar connective tissue dense fibrous connective tissue
reticular connective tissue hyaline cartilage osseous tissue fibrocartilage blood

dense fibrous connective tissue 1. attaches bones to bones and muscles to bones

osseous tissue 2. forms your hip bone

areolar connective tissue 3. composes basement membranes; a soft packaging tissue with a jellylike
matrix

hyaline cartilage 4. forms the larynx and the costal cartilages of the ribs
hyaline cartilage 5. firm matrix heavily invaded with fibers; appears glassy and smooth

osseous tissue 6. matrix hard; provides levers for muscles to act on

adipose connective tissue 7. insulates against heat loss; provides reserve fuel

fibrocartilage 8. makes up the intervertebral discs

Muscle Tissue
11. The terms and phrases in the key relate to the muscle tissues. For each of the three muscle tissues,
select the terms or phrases that characterize it, and write the corresponding letter of each term on the
answer line.

Key:
a. striated f. voluntary k. attached to bones
b. branching cells g. involuntary l. intercalated discs
c. spindle-shaped cells h. one nucleus m. in wall of bladder and stomach
d. cylindrical cells i. many nuclei n. moves limbs, produces smiles
e. active during birth j. forms heart walls o. arranged in sheets

Skeletal muscle: A. striated D. cylindrical cells F. voluntary I. many nuclei K. attached to bones
Cardiac muscle: A. striated B. branching cells D. cylindrical cells E. active during birth G. involuntary
H. one nucleus I. intercalated discs
Smooth muscle: C. spindle-shaped cells E. active during birth G. involuntary H. one nucleus
M. in wall of bladder and stomach O. arranged in sheets

Nervous tissue
12. In what ways are neurons similar to other cells? Neurons are similar to other cells in the body
because they are surrounded by a cell membrane, have a nucleus that contains genes, and also contain
cytoplasm, mitochondria, and other organelles.

How are they different? Neurons are different from other cells in the body because Neurons contain
specialized cell parts like the dendrites and axons.

How does the special structure of a neuron relate to its function? Dendrites bring electrical signals to the
cell body while the axons take information away from the cell body which makes Neurons communicate
to each other via an electrochemical process making it vital for our body as it is one way the brain sends
instructions and communicate with the rest of the body.
13. Write the name of each tissue type in illustrations (a) through (l).

a. Simple columnar epithelium b. pseudostratified columnar epithelium

c. stratified squamous epithelium d. transitional epithelium

e. areolar connective tissue f. dense fibrous connective tissue

g. bone or osseous tissue h. hyaline cartilage

i. Adipose connective tissue j. smooth muscle tissue

k. skeletal muscle tissue l. cardiac muscle tissue