Histology: Tissue Types and Functions

Study Notes

Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells.
It is a branch of biology that deals with the examination of tissues and cells in relation to their function and behavior.

Epithelial tissue: forms the lining of organs, glands, and other body surfaces.
- Functions: protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation.
Connective tissue: provides support, structure, and connectivity to the body.
- Functions: binding, supporting, and protecting organs and tissues.
Muscle tissue: responsible for movement and contraction.
- Functions: voluntary and involuntary movement, maintenance of posture, and regulation of body temperature.
Nervous tissue: responsible for transmitting and processing information.
- Functions: transmission of nerve impulses, control of body functions, and interpretation of sensory information.

Plasma membrane: the outermost layer of the cell, separating the cell from its environment.
Cytoplasm: the jelly-like substance inside the cell, where metabolic processes occur.
Nucleus: the control center of the cell, containing genetic material.
Organelles: specialized structures within the cell, performing specific functions.
- Examples: mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and lysosomes.

Staining: a process of adding color to tissues and cells to enhance visibility under a microscope.
Microscopy: the use of microscopes to examine tissues and cells.
- Types: light microscopy, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy.

Fixation: the process of preserving tissues and cells to prevent degradation.
Dehydration: the removal of water from tissues and cells to prepare for sectioning.
Embedding: the process of surrounding tissues and cells with a supporting material for sectioning.
Sectioning: the process of cutting tissues and cells into thin slices for examination.
Mounting: the process of attaching tissues and cells to a microscope slide for examination.

Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells.
It is a branch of biology that deals with the examination of tissues and cells in relation to their function and behavior.

Epithelial tissue forms the lining of organs, glands, and other body surfaces, and functions in protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation.
Connective tissue provides support, structure, and connectivity to the body, and functions in binding, supporting, and protecting organs and tissues.
Muscle tissue is responsible for movement and contraction, and functions in voluntary and involuntary movement, maintenance of posture, and regulation of body temperature.
Nervous tissue is responsible for transmitting and processing information, and functions in transmission of nerve impulses, control of body functions, and interpretation of sensory information.

The plasma membrane is the outermost layer of the cell, separating the cell from its environment.
Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell, where metabolic processes occur.
The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing genetic material.
Organelles are specialized structures within the cell, performing specific functions, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and lysosomes.

Staining is a process of adding color to tissues and cells to enhance visibility under a microscope.
Microscopy is the use of microscopes to examine tissues and cells, and includes types such as light microscopy, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy.

Fixation is the process of preserving tissues and cells to prevent degradation.
Dehydration is the removal of water from tissues and cells to prepare for sectioning.
Embedding is the process of surrounding tissues and cells with a supporting material for sectioning.
Sectioning is the process of cutting tissues and cells into thin slices for examination.
Mounting is the process of attaching tissues and cells to a microscope slide for examination.