Chapter-6TissuesPart 2Animal Tissues

You already know that

tissue

is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a completeorganism. Hence, a tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, thattogether carry out a specific function.

Organs

are then formed by the functional grouping together of multipletissues.Multicellular (large) organisms function more efficiently if cells become specialized for specific functions.There are four types of tissues found in animals: epithelial, connective, nerve, and muscle tissue.Sponges do not have tissues.

Epithelial Tissue:

Epithelial tissue covers the whole surface of the body. It is made up of cells that are closely packed and arecomposed of one or more layers. This tissue is specialised to form the covering or lining of all internal andexternal body surfaces. Epithelial tissue that occurs on surfaces on the interior of the body is known asendothelium.Properties:

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Epithelial cells are packed tightly together, with almost no intercellular spaces and only a small amountof intercellular substance.

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Epithelial tissue, regardless of the type, is usually separated from the underlying tissue by a thin sheetof extracellular and fibrous

basement membrane

. The basement membrane provides structuralsupport for the epithelium and also binds it to neighbouring structures.

Functions of Epithelial Tissue

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Protection

: Epithelial cells from the skin protect underlying tissue from mechanical injury, harmfulchemicals, invading bacteria and from excessive loss of water.

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Secretion

: In glands, epithelial tissue is specialised to secrete specific chemical substances such asenzymes, hormones and lubricating fluids.

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Absorption

: Certain epithelial cells lining the small intestine absorb nutrients from the digestion of food.

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Excretion

: Epithelial tissues in the kidney excrete waste products from the body and reabsorb neededmaterials from the urine. Sweat is also excreted from the body by epithelial cells in the sweat glands.

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Diffusion

: Simple epithelium promotes the diffusion of gases, liquids and nutrients. Because they formsuch a thin lining, they are ideal for the diffusion of gases (eg. walls of capillaries and lungs).

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Cleaning

: Ciliated epithelium assists in removing dust particles and foreign bodies which have enteredthe air passages.

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Reduces Friction

: The smooth, tightly-interlocking, epithelial cells that line the entire circulatory systemreduce friction between the blood and the walls of the blood vessels.

Connective Tissue

It is an animal tissue that is characterized by the abundance of extracellular components (such as fibers andintercellular substances). The tissue derives its name from its function in connecting, supporting, surrounding orbinding cells and tissues.Connective tissue is composed of:

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cells

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extracellular matrixExtracellular matrix is a special feature that distinguishes connective tissue from the other tissues of the body.This matrix may be jelly-like, fluid, dense or rigid. The nature of matrix differs according to the function of thatparticular connective tissue.

Type ofconnectivetissueMatrix Type of cells Location and function

Blood

(liquidconnectivetissue)

Fluid Matrix calledPlasmaPlasma containsRBC, WBC andPlateletsLocation: Present all over the body in blood vessels.Function: Transportation of gases, digested food,hormones and waste materials to different parts ofthe body.

Lymph

(liquidconnectivetissue)

Fluid Matrix(white to paleyellow)Cells calledlymphocytesLocation: Present in lymph vessels, unidirectionalflowFunction: immune system of the body, collectsextracellular fluid.

Bone

Hard matrixcomposed ofcalcium andphosphorouscompoundsCells calledosteocytesembedded inmatrix , haveslenderprojectionsLocation: Forms endoskeleton of body,Function: forms a framework that supports the body,anchors the muscles and supports the main organs

Cartilage

Flexible matrixdue to thepresence ofproteins andsugarsChondrocytesLocation: ear, tip of nose, trachea, larynx,endoskeleton of fish like sharkFunction: smoothens the bone surfaces at joints,forms the endoskeleton in some animals.

Tendons

fibrous __ Location & Function: connects muscles to bones, notvery flexible, very strong

Ligaments

fibrous __ Location & Function: connects bones to bones,flexible and elastic, contain very little matrix, limitedstrength

Areolar Tissue

Fluid (semi-solid)Fibroblasts,plasma cells,macrophages,mast cells etc.Location & Function: Packing tissue, have collagenfibres that give firmness to skin, fills space insideorgans, supports internal organs, helps in repair oftissues

AdiposeTissue

Fluid (semi-solid) Adipocytes(cells filled withfat globules)Location: Present below skin and between theinternal organsFunction: Insulation and protection

Muscular Tissue

Muscles of the body are made up of elongated muscle cells also known as muscle fibre. The movement of thebody is brought about by the contraction and relaxation of contractile protein present in muscle cells. Thesecontractile proteins are actin and myosin.There are three types of muscle fibres

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Striated Muscles:

also known as Skeletal muscle or "voluntary muscle"( since their contraction isunder the control of the will), it is anchored by tendons to bone and is used to effect skeletalmovement such as locomotion and in maintaining posture. Striated muscle cells are long, cylindrical,