Animal Tissue: Epithelial Tissue

Forms the lining of organs, glands, and body surfaces
Functions:
- Protection
- Absorption
- Secretion
- Sensation
Characteristics:
- Cells are closely packed and arranged in a single layer or multiple layers
- Little to no intercellular matrix
- Regenerates quickly
Types:
- Simple epithelium (single layer)
- Stratified epithelium (multiple layers)
- Pseudostratified epithelium (single layer, but appears multi-layered)
Examples:
- Skin
- Lining of blood vessels
- Intestinal epithelium

Supports, connects, and anchors organs and tissues
Functions:
- Providing structure and framework
- Storing energy
- Protecting organs
- Aiding in movement
Characteristics:
- Cells are dispersed in a matrix
- Matrix can be liquid, gel-like, or solid
- High degree of variability in structure and function
Types:
- Loose connective tissue (e.g., fat, areolar tissue)
- Dense connective tissue (e.g., tendons, ligaments)
- Cartilaginous connective tissue (e.g., cartilage)
- Bone tissue
Examples:
- Fat pads
- Tendons and ligaments
- Cartilage in joints

Responsible for movement, contraction, and relaxation
Functions:
- Movement of body parts
- Maintenance of posture
- Regulation of body temperature
Characteristics:
- Cells are specialized for contraction
- High content of actin and myosin proteins
- Innervated by nervous system
Types:
- Skeletal muscle (voluntary, striated)
- Smooth muscle (involuntary, non-striated)
- Cardiac muscle (involuntary, striated)
Examples:
- Biceps and quadriceps muscles
- Smooth muscle in digestive tract
- Heart muscle

Responsible for transmitting and processing information
Functions:
- Reception and transmission of signals
- Integration and processing of information
- Control of bodily functions
Characteristics:
- Cells are specialized for conduction and transmission
- High degree of electrical activity
- High degree of branching and connections
Types:
- Neurons (nerve cells)
- Glial cells (support cells)
Examples:
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Peripheral nerves

Forms the lining of organs, glands, and body surfaces, providing a protective barrier
Functions include protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation, depending on the location and type of epithelium
Characteristics: cells are closely packed, with little to no intercellular matrix, and regenerate quickly
Types include simple (single layer), stratified (multiple layers), and pseudostratified (single layer, but appears multi-layered) epithelium
Examples: skin, lining of blood vessels, and intestinal epithelium, which absorb nutrients into the bloodstream

Supports, connects, and anchors organs and tissues, providing structure and framework
Functions include storing energy, protecting organs, and aiding in movement, depending on the type of connective tissue
Characteristics: cells are dispersed in a matrix, which can be liquid, gel-like, or solid, with a high degree of variability in structure and function
Types include loose connective tissue (e.g., fat, areolar tissue), dense connective tissue (e.g., tendons, ligaments), cartilaginous connective tissue (e.g., cartilage), and bone tissue
Examples: fat pads, tendons and ligaments, which connect muscles to bones, and cartilage in joints, which provides cushioning and support

Responsible for movement, contraction, and relaxation, allowing for body movement and maintenance of posture
Functions include movement of body parts, regulation of body temperature, and supporting blood circulation
Characteristics: cells are specialized for contraction, with a high content of actin and myosin proteins, and are innervated by the nervous system
Types include skeletal muscle (voluntary, striated), smooth muscle (involuntary, non-striated), and cardiac muscle (involuntary, striated), each with distinct functions
Examples: biceps and quadriceps muscles, which control voluntary movement, smooth muscle in the digestive tract, which helps facilitate digestion, and heart muscle, which pumps blood throughout the body

Responsible for transmitting and processing information, allowing for control of bodily functions and response to stimuli
Functions include reception and transmission of signals, integration and processing of information, and control of bodily functions
Characteristics: cells are specialized for conduction and transmission, with a high degree of electrical activity and branching connections
Types include neurons (nerve cells) and glial cells (support cells), which work together to facilitate neural function
Examples: brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, which form the complex nervous system that controls the body's functions