Written Report#2: Tissues

Learning outcomes of the lab exercises:

1. List the main tissue types and discuss their roles in the human body.
2. Identify and explain the functions the various epithelial, connective, muscle and
nervous tissues and how their forms enable their functions.
3. Sketch and label the various types of major tissues from slides and identify their
specific location and a specific function.

"The body contains at least 200 distinct cell types. These cells contain essentially the same internal
structures, yet they vary enormously in shape and function. The different types of cells are not
randomly distributed throughout the body; rather they occur in organized layers, a level of organization
referred to as tissue."
OpenStax A&P pg. 135

I. INTRODUCTION
A. A tissue is composed of similar cells specialized to perform a common function(s).
B. Four adult primary types of tissues form the "fabric" of the human organism:
1. epithelial tissues (ET; covering/lining);
2. connective tissues (CT; support);
3. muscle tissues (MT; movement);
4. nervous tissues (NT; control).

OpenStax A&P Fig 4.2 Four Type of Tissue: Body

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
II. EPITHELIAL TISSUES
A. General Structural Characteristics:
1. Cellularity: ETs are composed of tightly packed sheet(s) of cells with little
extracellular material between them.
2. Polarity:
a. ETs exhibit polarity and always have a free surface ("apical surface")
which opens to the outside or to an internal space (lumen);
b. This free surface may possess modifications.
o microvilli (increases membrane surface area);
o cilia (aid in movement of a substances across the layer).
3. Basement Membrane:
a. The "basal surface" of ETs are anchored to CT by a basement membrane
4. Specialized contacts: that ETs may possess include:
a. tight junctions (zipper-like junctions prevent intercellular leakage);
b. desmosomes (hold adjacent cells together).
5. Avascular:
a. ETs contain no blood vessels, nourished by nutrients through diffusion
6. Regeneration: high regeneration capacity, due to rapid cell division
7. Locations: ETs cover us and line us:
8. Functions:
a. protection (i.e. epidermis); absorption (i.e. lining of intestine)
secretion (i.e. ducts of glands); excretion (i.e. epidermis and lining of
kidney; capillaries); filtration. (i.e. lining of kidney capillaries)

B. Classification of Epithelia (plural);

Epithelium (singular):
1. Many epithelial tissues are classified according to their shape and the number of
layers they possess:
2. Some terms used to describe epithelia include:
a. simple = single layer of cells;
b. stratified = many layers of cells;
c. squamous = flattened cells;
d. cuboidal = square-shaped cells;
e. columnar = elongated cells (i.e. taller than wide)

OpenStax A&P Fig 4.6 Cells of Epithelial Tissues

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
 3. Types of Simple Epithelium
a. Simple squamous epithelium:
o a single layer of flattened cells;
o generally allows for easy passage (diffusion) of substances;
o Locations = lining air sacs of lungs, capillaries, body cavities
b. Simple cuboidal epithelium:
o a single layer of square-shaped cells
o Functions = secretion, absorption
o Locations = lining kidney tubules, ducts of glands,
c. Simple columnar epithelium:
o a single layer of elongated cells with basally located nuclei (near
basement membrane);
o Functions = protection, absorption, secretion;
o Locations = lining small intestine;
o Free Surface Modifications:
 microvilli (increase surface area)
 goblet cells (secrete protective mucus)
d. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium:
o a single layer of elongated cells w/ scattered nuclei ( look stratified
but are not); all cells touch basement membrane
o Functions = secretion, protection;
o Locations = lining trachea,
o Free surface modifications:
 cilia (trap debris; move mucus out of airway);
 goblet cells (produce mucus)
4. Types of Stratified Epithelium
a. Stratified squamous epithelium:
o many layers of flattened cells;
o Function = protection;
o Locations =
 Non-keratinized: lining mouth, throat, vagina, anus.
 Keratinized: epidermis of skin.
b. Transitional epithelium:
o many layers of cells, change shape in response to tension;
o Function = distensibility (i.e. stretches easily);
o Location = lining urinary bladder and ureters.
C. Glands
Exocrine glandular secretions:
Three types of secretions.
o Merocrine: secrete fluid through cell membranes into a duct with no loss
of glandular cells.
 Example = salivary glands.
o Apocrine: lose small portion of cells with secretion.
 Example = mammary glands;
o Holocrine: release entire cells into secretion.
 Example = sebaceous glands in skin (oil).

*Carcinoma = a tumor (cancer) originating from epithelial tissue.

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

 OpenStax A&P Fig 4.8 Summary of Epithelial Tissues
Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
III. CONNECTIVE TISSUES
A. General Characteristics:
1. Common Origin: from mesenchyme (mesoderm).
2. Wide Range of Vascularity: from cartilage, which is avascular, to bone, which
has a rich blood supply.
3. Structural Elements:
cells + extracellular matrix (ground substance plus fibers).
4. Ground Substance:
a. amorphous material that fills the space between cells and fibers;
b. A molecular "sieve" through which nutrients and gases can diffuse
B. Categories of Connective Tissues
1. Connective Tissue Proper – All CT with a semi-fluid ground substance
a. Areolar CT:
o gel-like matrix with fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells and
collagen and elastic fibers;
o Location = beneath epithelium, covering ventral organs;
o Functions = diffusion of nutrients and gases; wraps & cushions
organs.
b. Adipose Tissue:
o closely packed adipocytes (fat-cells) with nuclei pushed to one
side within matrix (resemble signet rings);
o Location = under skin (as subcutaneous layer), around kidneys
and eyeballs, breasts;
o Functions = energy store, insulation, protection;
c. Reticular CT:
o network of reticular fibers within loose ground substance and
reticulocytes;
o Location = basement membranes and lymphatic organs (i.e.
lymph nodes, thymus, spleen);
o Function = support;
d. Dense Regular CT (White Fibrous CT):
o primarily collagen fibers (pink) with few fibroblasts (you can only
see nuclei!);
o Location = tendons, ligaments;
o Functions = attachment, tensile strength;
o Poor blood supply = slow to no healing;
e. Dense Irregular CT:
o primarily collagen fibers randomly arranged;
o Location = dermis of skin ( it is located below stratified squamous
ET in skin ), heart valves
o Function = provides tensile strength
2. Special Connective Tissues
a. Hyaline cartilage:
o amorphous (chondroitin and glucosamine) matrix that surrounds
cells = chondrocytes (within lacunae);
o Locations = embryonic skeleton, costal cartilages, cartilage of the
nose, trachea, and larynx;
o Function = support;
o Avascular = poor healing;
b. Elastic cartilage:
o same as above plus elastic fibers;
o Locations = external ear, epiglottis;
o Functions = maintenance of shape plus flexibility;
Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
 c. Fibrocartilage:
o less firm than above;
o Locations = intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis;
o Functions = tensile strength plus shock absorber;
d. Bone:
o hard, calcified matrix ([Ca3(PO4)2.(OH)2] = rigidity), with collagen
fibers (tensile strength) and cells = osteocytes (within lacunae);
o Location = bones of the skeleton;
o Functions = protection, support, movement, calcium store and
hematopoiesis;
o Highly vascular = fast healing;
e. Blood:
o red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), and platelets
(thrombocytes) in a fluid matrix called plasma;
o Location = within heart and blood vessels;
o Function = transport of gases, nutrients, wastes;

IV. MUSCLE TISSUES

A. General Characteristics:
1. Muscle cells are called muscle fibers;
2. Muscle fibers are contractile [i.e. they change their shape (shorten) to cause
their attachments to move].
B. Types of Muscle Tissue:
1. Skeletal Muscle Tissue
a. Structure: long thin cells (fibers) with many nuclei; alternating areas of
light & dark (striations); bands
b. Location = attached to bones;
c. Function = move bones of skeleton;
d. Control = voluntary = conscious.
2. Cardiac Muscle Tissue
a. Structure: network of cells with one centrally located nucleus;
intercalated discs (where 2 cells meet); striations;
b. Location = heart;
c. Function = to pump blood
d. Control = involuntary = unconscious
3. Smooth Muscle Tissue
a. Structure: spindle-shaped; one centrally located nucleus; no striations;
b. Location = walls of hollow visceral organs; walls of blood vessels;
attached to hair follicles in the dermis
c. Function = movement of food through digestive tract; vasoconstriction;
d. Control = involuntary = unconscious

V. NERVOUS TISSUE
A. Structure:
Primary cells = neurons which respond to changes in their surroundings (stimuli);
neurons are surrounded by neuroglia (supporting cells);
B. Locations = Brain; Spinal Cord; Nerves
C. Function = Coordination or integration of body parts (i.e. to transmit signals);
D. No reproduction of neurons in adult, only neuroglia can divide.

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

 DIRECTIONS FOR MICROSCOPE CLEANUP AND STORAGE
1. Turn off the base light.
2. Turn the objective lens to scanning lens (4X).
3. Be sure slides are removed from the stage and returned to their proper location.
4. Clean all the objectives and ocular lenses (eyepieces) with lens paper and glass cleaner
and dry with fresh, dry lens paper.
5. Clean the stage with lens paper and glass cleaner and dry with fresh, dry lens paper.

FINAL CHECK: MICROSCOPE SLIDES REMOVED AND RETURNED TO PROPER

LOCATION, AND 4X OBJECTIVE IN PLACE!
6. Wrap the cord as instructed by your instructor when putting away the microscope.
7. Using the coarse adjustment, turn the stage all the way down.
8. Turn the ocular lenses back to properly fit in the cabinet.
9. Replace the cover.
10. Store the microscope in the microscope cabinet facing to the side.

MICROSCOPE FOCUSING TECHNIQUE GUIDELINES

1. Lock your slide in correctly (label facing up) and use the mechanical stage to CENTER
the slide over the light source.
2. Lock the scanning (4X) objective in place and use the coarse adjustment knob to begin
focusing. This may require you to turn it back and forth, finding the highest point of
resolution.
3. Use the fine adjustment knob and turn it back and forth to find the highest point of
resolution.
4. Once your slide is clearly focused, you can choose which area you want to view, i.e.
move it around and CENTER what you want to look at in more detail.
5. Lock the low-power (10X) objective in place, again you should only need to use the fine
adjustment knob for clear focus.
6. Again, CENTER what you wish to view and lock the high-power (40X) objective into
place. Again, you should only need to use the fine adjustment knob for crisp focus.
*Gain comfort adjusting the coarse and fine knobs back and forth to focus clearly and also
moving the slide around to find the best view of the tissue/specimen.

Study Tools and Tips:

1) Draw sketches and write down key observations and descriptions of each slide.
2) Compare and contrast the slide view and lab manual image (color, shape, relative size,
distinctive features, etc.).
3) All slides must be focused SCANNING--> LOW --> HIGH; low and high power offer the most
comparable images.
4) Some slides also contain other associated tissues, scroll around the slide in order to find an
image that closely resembles the lab manual image.
*Epithelial tissues- focus on the apical (free) surface as this region is the basis for
classification. The apical surface may be centralized (in the center) of the slide with an internal
free surface or at the edge of the slide.
Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
A. Epithelial Tissues: SUGGESTED SLIDES

1.) Simple squamous epithelium (lab lung section)

-Single layer of very thin cells

2.) Stratified squamous epithelium (lab skin epidermis)

-Multiple layers of flattened cells

3.) Simple cuboidal epithelium (kidney duct)

-Single layer of square cells

4.) Transitional epithelium (urinary bladder)

-Multiple layers of rounded cells

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

5.) Simple columnar epithelium (small intestine lining)
-Single layer of tall cells with elongated nuclei with microvilli

6.) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (trachea lining)

-Single layer of cells with cilia, nuclei are staggered

B. Connective Tissues: SUGGESTED SLIDES

7.) Areolar connective tissue

-Loose connective tissue with many protein fibers and cells

8.) Adipose tissue

-Loose connective tissue with many fat-filled spaces

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

9.) Dense regular connective tissue
- collagen fibers in parallel

10.) Dense irregular connective tissue

- collagen fibers in all directions

11.) Reticular tissue

-Many dark, branching fibers with numerous cells

12.) Blood
-Many small, rounded red cells mixed with some dark immune cells

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

13.) Bone
-Composed of concentric rings of extracellular material

14.) Hyaline cartilage

-Mostly a solid matrix with cells located in empty spaces

15.) Fibrocartilage
-Collagen fibers in parallel with cells in spaces

16.) Elastic cartilage

-Many elastic fibers visible in matrix with cells in empty spaces

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

C. Muscle Tissues: SUGGESTED SLIDES

17.) Skeletal muscle

-Long, cylindrical cells with a stripped appearance

18.) Cardiac muscle

-Shorter, striped cells with visible discs in between

19.) Smooth muscle

-Parallel bundles of elongated, oval cells

D. Nervous Tissues: SUGGESTED SLIDE

20.) Nervous tissue (giant multipolar neurons)

-Large round cell bodies with long, thin extensions

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

REVIEW ACTIVITY

WHICH OF THE FOUR BASIC TISSUES DO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBE?

WORD BANK
epithelial connective
Muscle nervous

1.______connective__________________ COLLAGENOUS AND ELASTIC FIBERS ARE

COMMON IN THE
MATRIX

2._____epithelial_____________________ LACKS BLOOD VESSELS

3._____muscle_____________________ CELLS ARE CAPABLE OF CONTRACTION

4._____connective_____________________ BLOOD

5.______connective____________________ TYPICALLY BINDS AND SUPPORTS STRUCTURES

6.____epithelial______________________ EXHIBITS EXCELLENT REGENERATION

7.____epithelial______________________ FORMS GLANDS

8.___nervous_______________________ POSSESSES NEUROGLIA

9.___muscle______________________ COMPOSES MOST OF WALL OF THE HEART

10.___connective______________________ CARTILAGE

PROVIDE THE SPECIFIC EPITHELIAL TISSUE FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING.

WORD BANK
simple squamous stratified squamous non-keratinized
Transitional simple cuboidal
simple columnar with microvilli pseudostratified

1._____simple cuboidal____________________ LINES KIDNEY TUBULES

2.____stratified squamous non keratinized_____________________ LINES INSIDE OF MOUTH

3._____pseudostratified____________________ LINES BRONCHI OF RESPIRATORY TRACT

4.____simple squamous_____________________ FORMS LINING OF BLOOD VESSELS

(ENDOTHELIUM)

5._____transitional____________________ FORMS LINING OF THE URINARY BLADDER

6._simple columnar with microvilli________________________ LINES THE INSIDE OF THE

SMALL INTESTINE
Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
 WORD BANK
elastic cartilage bone
dense regular connective tissue areolar connective tissue
smooth muscle hyaline cartilage
skeletal muscle reticular connective tissue

1.__smooth muscle_______________________ MOVES FOOD THROUGH DIGESTIVE TRACT

2._dense regular connective tissue________________________ FORMS TENDONS AND

LIGAMENTS

3.__skeletal muscle_______________________ VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT, HEAT PRODUCTION

4._areolar connective tissue________________________ FOUND UNDER EPITHELIUM, COVERS

VENTRAL ORGANS

5.___elastic cartilage______________________ FORMS EXTERNAL EAR AND EPIGLOTTIS

6.__reticular connective tissue_______________________ MAKES UP LYMPH NODES, SPLEEN

7.___bone______________________ HARD, CALCIFIED MATRIX

8.___hyaline cartilage______________________ EMBRYONIC SKELETON

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following characteristics is FALSE about epithelium?
A. Covers internal and external surfaces of the body
B. Has many cells and very little extracellular matrix
C. Has many blood vessels
D. Rests on a basement membrane

2. Epithelial tissue one layer thick is called

A. Simple epithelium
B. Double epithelium
C. Stratified epithelium
D. Layered epithelium

3. What type of epithelium is found where diffusion takes place, as in the alveoli of the lungs?
A. Simple cuboidal epithelium
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
C. Double columnar epithelium
D. Simple squamous epithelium

4. Which type of epithelium is found lining the small intestine?

A. Simple squamous epithelium with cilia
B. Stratified squamous epithelium
Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh
C. Simple columnar epithelium with microvilli
D. Simple cuboidal epithelium

5. What type of epithelial tissue is found lining the trachea?

A. Ciliated simple columnar epithelium
B. Ciliated stratified cuboidal epithelium
C. Ciliated pseudostratified epithelium
D. Ciliated stratified squamous epithelium

6. What type of epithelium is found lining the inside of the mouth and esophagus ?
A. Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
B. Keratinized stratified cuboidal epithelium
C. Nonkeratinized simple squamous epithelium
D. Keratinized simple columnar epithelium

7. What type of epithelium is found in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin?
A. Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
B. Keratinized stratified cuboidal epithelium
C. Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
D. Nonkeratinized simple columnar epithelium

8. A special type of epithelium that allows stretching / distention of the urinary bladder is called:
A. Stratified columnar epithelium
B. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
C. Transitional epithelium
D. Stretchy epithelium

9. What type of apical surface specialization increases surface area for absorption?
A. Cilia
B. Microvilli
C. Smooth
D. Desmosomes

10. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of connective tissue?

A. Secretion and absorption
B. Protection and transporting
C. Cushioning and insulation
D. Supporting and binding

11. What type of connective tissue makes up tendons and ligaments?

A. Adipose tissue
B. Dense, regular connective tissue
C. Loose, areolar connective tissue
D. Dense, irregular connective tissue

12. What type of cartilage is found covering the ends of bones in joints, attaching the ribs to the
sternum, supporting the trachea and forming much of the early embryonic skeleton?
A. Hyaline cartilage
B. Elastic cartilage
C. Osteocartilage
D. Fibrocartilage

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh

13. Which type of cartilage is found in the external ear and the epiglottis?
A. Hyaline cartilage
B. Elastic cartilage
C. Osteocartilage
D. Fibrocartilage

Prepared by: Jethro M. Ocampo RPh