LABORATORY ASSIGNMENT 2

1. Explain the effect of the following solutions on living cells: hypertonic,

hypotonic, and isotonic.

Answer:
Assuming our living cells are red blood cells, their interaction with various
solutions can lead to distinct outcomes. In a hypotonic solution, water (H 2O) will
enter the red blood cells via osmosis, causing them to expand or exhibit
cytoplasmic swelling primarily in the lower part of the cell. Conversely, when
exposed to an isotonic solution, water will enter and exit the cell at an equal pace,
resulting in no net water movement and maintaining the cell's shape. In the case
of a hypertonic solution, water will exit the cells through osmosis and then enters
the solution, ultimately causing the cells to shrink and undergo crenation.

2. Given the observation that a tissue has more than one layer of cells lining a
free surface, (a) list the possible tissue types that exhibit those
characteristics, and (b) explain what additional observations need to be
made to identify the tissue type.

Answer:
The epithelial tissue is composed of multiple layers of cells lining a free
surface. This tissue comes in various types, including stratified squamous,
stratified cuboidal, stratified columnar, and transitional epithelium. The specific
type is identified by the arrangement of cells in the outer layer. For instance,
stratified cuboidal epithelium is characterized by cuboidal cells in its layers, while
stratified columnar epithelium is indicated by the presence of columnar cells. In the
case of transitional epithelium, the surface cells are cuboidal, often resembling
cubes, and are supported by cuboidal or columnar cells beneath them.

3. Explain the consequences:

A. If simple columnar epithelium replaced non-keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium that lines, the mouth.
Answer:
Should this scenario arise, it would result in a higher likelihood of
injuring our mouth. This is because the single layer of the simple columnar
lining makes our mouth more vulnerable to wounds. Considering that the food
we usually eat is quite coarse, our oral tissue needs to be robust and sturdy,
akin to the stratified squamous. However, if this tissue lacks keratinization, it
will result in significant harm to our oral cavity.
B. If tendons were dense elastic connective tissue instead of dense
collagenous connective tissue.
Answer:
If tendons were composed of dense elastic connective tissue, this
would result in weaker tendons and lead to serious injuries. Tendons require
dense collagenous tissues that are well-structured and tightly filled with robust
fibrous proteins. These proteins contribute to its strength. On the other hand,
elastic connective tissues are situated in a disorganized manner. To put it
simply, the presence of dense collagenous connective tissue is essential for its
durability.
C. If bones made entirely of elastic bandage.
Answer:
Our bones offer protection and stability essential for bodily motion.
Elastic bandages serve the purpose of mending ailments such as fractures.
However, this material does not serve the same purpose of our bone and if it
were composed of elastic bandage material, our physique would be
compromised. Individuals with such bone composition would likely face serious
medical issues, with them not likely surviving or resulting in grave harm at best.
Considering that elastic bandages consist of materials like cotton or polyester,
they do not contribute to the overall functionality of the body.
References:

Why are tendons made of dense regular connective tissue but the dermis contains dense
irregular connective tissue? | Socratic. (n.d.). Socratic.org.
https://socratic.org/questions/why-are-tendons-made-of-dense-regular-connective-
tissue-but-the-dermis-contains-