Tissue Classification and Characteristics

Definition and Classification

• Tissue: a group of similar cells that perform a specific function
• Classified into four main categories:
  1. Epithelial tissue: forms the lining of organs, glands, and other body surfaces
  2. Connective tissue: provides support, structure, and connectivity to the body
  3. Muscle tissue: responsible for movement and contraction
  4. Nervous tissue: transmits and processes information

Characteristics of Tissue

• Cellularity: tissues are composed of cells
• Specialization: each type of tissue has a specific function
• Organization: tissues are organized into organs and organ systems
• Adaptability: tissues can adapt to changes in the body

Functions of Tissue

• Protection: epithelial tissue protects the body from external damage
• Support: connective tissue provides structural support
• Movement: muscle tissue enables movement and contraction
• Communication: nervous tissue transmits and processes information

Definition and Classification of Tissue

• A group of similar cells performing a specific function is called tissue
• Four main categories of tissue exist:
  • Epithelial tissue: forms lining of organs, glands, and body surfaces
  • Connective tissue: provides support, structure, and connectivity
  • Muscle tissue: responsible for movement and contraction
  • Nervous tissue: transmits and processes information

Characteristics of Tissue

• Tissues are composed of cells, exhibiting cellularity
• Each tissue type has a specific function, displaying specialization
• Tissues are organized into organs and organ systems, showing organization
• Tissues can adapt to changes in the body, demonstrating adaptability

Functions of Tissue

• Epithelial tissue provides protection from external damage
• Connective tissue offers structural support to the body
• Muscle tissue enables movement and contraction
• Nervous tissue facilitates communication through information transmission and processing

Tissue

Connective Tissue

• Provides support, structure, and connectivity to the body, binding and supporting organs and tissues
• Transports nutrients and waste, stores energy reserves, and regulates body temperature
• Consists of three types:
  • Loose connective tissue (e.g., fat, areolar tissue)
  • Dense connective tissue (e.g., bone, cartilage, tendons)
  • Specialized connective tissue (e.g., blood, bone marrow, adipose tissue)

Epithelial Tissue

• Forms the lining of organs, glands, and body surfaces, protecting the body from external damage
• Regulates the exchange of substances and produces and secretes hormones and other substances
• Classified into three types:
  • Simple epithelial tissue (e.g., skin, lung, gut lining)
  • Stratified epithelial tissue (e.g., skin, oral mucosa)
  • Pseudostratified epithelial tissue (e.g., respiratory tract)

Muscle Tissue

• Responsible for movement and contraction, moving the body's skeleton
• Regulates body temperature, maintains posture and balance
• Comprises three types:
  • Skeletal muscle (voluntary, striated)
  • Smooth muscle (involuntary, non-striated)
  • Cardiac muscle (involuntary, striated)

Nervous Tissue

• Responsible for transmitting and processing information, receiving and transmitting sensory information
• Integrates and processes information, controlling and coordinating body functions
• Consists of three types:
  • Neurons (nerve cells)
  • Neuroglial cells (supporting cells)
  • Sensory receptors (e.g., photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors)