Chapter 5

Animal Tissues

Introduction:

Specialized tissues are formed from a group of cells. These tissues function together in a specific
activity. There are four types of tissues: epithelial tissues, connective tissues, muscular tissues, and
nervous tissues.

EPITHELIAL TISSUE

- Composed of polygonal cells closely positioned together with little or no intercellular materials on
between. These tissues line body surfaces or form glands. Functions of epithelial cells include protection
of the body from potential infection agents (skin), absorption of nutrients (intestines), and sensation
(neuroepithelium).

Epithelial Tissues can be classified according to:

- Shape of cells on a free surface: squamous, cuboidal, or columnar.

- Surface specialization: cilia, keratin, goblet cell, or brush border

- Number of cell layers: simple or stratified.

Types of epithelium

1. Simple epithelium – is made up of only one layer of cells. This type is classified as squamous,
cuboidal, or columnar, depending on its shape.

a. Simple Squamous Epithelium – found in the endothelium of blood vessels and alveoli,
as well as the mesothelium that covers the body cavities. It is made up of
characteristically thin and flat cells with irregular outlines that are fitted closely together
to form a continuous sheet.

b. Simple cuboidal epithelium – found in the lining of the kidneys, with brush border,
where reabsorption of minerals and other important substances occur. Cells are box-
shaped.

c. Simple Columnar Epithelium – it has striated borders and is found in the stomach and
functions to protect against corrosive secretions. Cells are cylindrical with noticeable
height.
 2. Stratified Epithelium – made up of more than one layer of cells. This type can be classified
according to the shape of the topmost layer. It may be columnar, squamous, cuboidal,
transitional, or pseudostratified.

a. Stratified squamous epithelium- can also be keratinized (found in dry surfaces, like in
skin), or non-keratinized (found in wet surfaces). Its protective functions are qualified
for its multi-layered cellular composition.

b. Stratified cuboidal- found is some glands.

c. Stratified columnar epithelium- found in the conjunctiva and salivary gland ducts of
humans.

d. Transitional epithelium – lines the ureters, the urinary bladder, and the upper part of
the urethra. The cells of this type can change in form depends on the degree of
distention of the bladder.

e. Pseudostratified epithelium – has cells with the nuclei positioned in different levels,
giving the impression that the membrane is composed of more than a single layer of
cells. An example is the ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium found in the
respiratory passages.

3. Glandular epithelium – composed of cells that produce secretion molecules. It can be classified
in several ways.

a. According to the number of cells. Its cane be unicellular (made up of single isolated
glandular cells like that of the goblet cells) or multicellular (made up of clusters of cells).

b. Based on morphology or shape.

c. According to the type of secretions.

d. Based on the presence or absence of excretory ducts.

e. According to the integrity of secretory cells.

CONNECTIVE TISSUES

- Structures support, protect, transport, insulate, repair, perform hematopoiesis, and contribute to
immunologic reactions are some functions of connective tissues. It has three components: connective
tissue cells themselves, protein fibers (collagen and elastin), and stromal components such as the
matrix.

Three types of Connective Tissue:

1. Collagenous connective tissue – mainly made up of type 1 collagen-loose connective tissues in

3. Elastic connective Tissue – mostly formed by type 11 collagen, comprises retractile fibers with
elastin. It is not easily pictured under the microscope unless it is stained. Found in the bronchi,
blood vessels, hollow organs, and trachea.

SPECIALIZED CONNECTIVE TISSUES

1. Blood or lymph – some of a few of their many functions are, necessary for the transport of
nutrients, hemostasis, blood exchange, immunity, hormonal transport, and waste removal.

2. Cartilage – it has a rigid matrix but is still pliable and elastic because it is made of collagen and
elastic fibers. Provides structural support and a degree of flexibility. It is lacking blood vessels
(avascular).

3. Bone – it is a rigid form of connective tissue composed of cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes, and
osteoclasts) and a calcified matrix made up of organic elements (collagen, protein,
polysaccharide, chondroitin sulfate) and inorganic elements (calcium, magnesium, sodium).

MUSCULAR TISSUE

- These are the primary tissue for locomotion. They are usually elongated as an adaptation for
contraction. There are three types of tissues: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

1. Skeletal muscle – this type of muscular tissue is made up of very long, cylindrical, multinucleated
cells capable of quick and forceful contractions that are usually voluntary in action.

2. Cardiac muscle – this type of muscle is composed of elongated branched individual cells that are
configured parallel to each other.

3. Smooth Muscle – this type of muscular tissue are collections of cells that do not show cross-
striations. These are largest at the midpoints and narrowing toward the end fusiform-shaped
cells).

NERVOUS TISSUE

- These types of tissue receive stimuli from the environment or other nerve cells also knows as neurons.
It is responsible in processing and sending information to other neurons or effector tissues.

Classifications of Neurons:

They can be categorized in several ways.

According to function
 a. 1. Sensory neurons – it transmits information obtained from the interior of the body and
the environment to the CNS (Central Nervous System).

b. Motor Neurons – it carries impulses from the Central Nervous System to effector organs
commanded by these centers.

According to neurotransmitters or chemical messengers that modify neuron sensitivity to synaptic

Dopaminergic – dopamine as the neurotransmitter

Serotonergic – serotonin

Glutamatergic – glutamate

Cholinergic – acetylcholine

Adrenergic – epinephrine, and norepinephrine

GABA-minergic – gamma-aminobutyric acid

According to the number of processes

Unipolar

Bipolar

Multipolar

According to the length of processes

Projection neurons

Interneurons

Figure 6.1 Synapse

Synapse- is primarily responsible for the unidirectional transmission of nerve impulses. Synaptic
communication is needed for information to be transmitted from one neuron to another.
 Laboratory Exercise 5

Epithelial Tissue

Introduction

If cells of the same structure and origin are grouped and function as one, they are called tissues.
Histology is the branch of science that deals with the study of tissues. They can be classified into four
types: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous.

Epithelial tissues will be used in the exercise. This tissue is composed of closely packed sheets of
cells that cover the surface of the body or one of the cavities. On its apical side, it is exposed to air or
body fluids, and the basal side rests against a non-cellular layer produced by the epithelial tissue and
underlying connective tissue called the basement membrane. The epithelial tissue plays vital functions
in protection, secretion, absorption, and providing a surface for diffusion.

Objectives

At the end of the exercise, students should be able to:

1. Identify and describe the epithelial tissues that will be examined

2. Describe the function and location of epithelial tissue in the body.

Materials

Compound microscope iodine solution

Prepared slide of the human brown skin or human cheek cells

Procedure

1. If the prepared slide is available, borrow a slide for the surface view of the human epidermis and
examine the cells under the microscope.

2. In the absence of the prepared slides, scrape the inner lining of the cheeks using the flat side of
a toothpick and smear it on a clean slide. Put a drop of iodine solution before examining it under
the microscope. The stain will make the nucleus of the cells more visible.
Results

1. Draw at least three cells seen under LPO and HPO.

LPO HPO

2. How do the cells look like?

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A. Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. The type of tissue that covers the outermost part of the human body.

a. Epithelial b. muscular c. connective d. nervous

2. The type of muscle tissue that is found in the digestive tube

a. Cardiac b. smooth c. skeletal d. ligaments

3. The type of tissue characterized by cells arranged far from each other and having numerous
intercellular substances.

a. Epithelial b. connective c. muscular d. nervous

a. Heart b. liver c. stomach d. kidney

5. The basic unit of the nervous system

a. Alveolus b. nephron c. neuron d. osteocyte

B. Name the type of tissue present in the following structures:

________________________1. Goblet cells

________________________2. Tendon

________________________3. Stratum Lucidum

________________________4. Epineurium

________________________5. Plasma

________________________6. Areola

________________________7. Exocrine Gland

________________________8. Endoneurium

________________________9. Cartilage

________________________10. Plasma

A. What are the other examples of epithelial tissues that are secretory in function?

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