CHAPTER 23: ANIMAL TISSUES AND ORGAN SYSTEMS
o Composition: cells in dense matrix of elastin
Tissue – group of specialized cells that interact and provide
special function
 All animal tissues’ cells are embedded in an
extracellular matrix (mixture of water, carb, lipids
and protein fiber)
o When cells are removed, body cells can’t
survive or replicate
Organ – consists of two or more interacting tissues that
function as a unit
Organ System – consists of two or more organs that are
physically or functionally joined
Tissue Types
1. Epithelial
o Coats the body’s internal and external
surfaces with tightly packed cells
Simple Squamous
o Composition: single layer of flattened cells
o Function: allows substances to pass by
diffusion and osmosis
o Locations: Lining of blood vessels, alveoli of
lungs
Simple Cuboidal
o Composition: single layer of cube-shaped
cells
o Function: stores, secretes and absorbs
substances
 Water is stored to prevent
dehydration
o Locations: glands, lining of kidney tubules
Simple Columnar
o Composition: single-layer of column-shaped
cells
o Function: stores, secretes and absorbs
substances; sweeps embryo along uterine
tube
o Locations: lining of digestive tract, bronchi
of lungs, uterine tubes (fallopian)
Stratified Squamous
o Composition: multiple layers of flattened
cells
o Function: protects areas subject to
abrasion, prevents water loss and infection
o Locations: outer layer of skin
2. Connective
o Consists of cells scattered within an
extracellular matrix
 Occupies more space
Loose
o Composition: cells in loose matrix of elastin
and collagen fibers
o Function: holds organs in place; attaches
epithelial tissue to underlying tissue;
maintain structure (ex: intestine)
o Locations: under skin, between organs
Dense
and collagen fibers (harder and stronger)
o Function: connects muscle to bone;
connects bone to bone
o Locations: tendons (b-m) and ligaments (b-
b) [strain: tendon; sprain: ligaments]
Adipose
o Composition: fat cells in minimal matrix
(thicker)
o Function: stores fats for energy and
insulation
o Locations: beneath skin, between muscles,
around heart and joints
Blood
o Composition: red, white, platelets in plasma
matrix
o Function: transport gases, nutrients, wastes
o Locations: arteries, veins and capillaries
Cartilage
o Composition: cells in matrix of fine collagen
fibers
o Function: flexible support
o Location: Ears, joints, bone ends,
respiratory
Bone
o Composition: cells in matrix of collagen and
minerals (strongest part but is limited by
pressure)
o Function: firm support
o Location: Skeleton
3. Muscle
o Consists of cells that contract (become
shorter) when electrically stimulated
Skeletal Muscle
o Composition: elongated cells, each
containing many nuclei, striated
o Function: moves the bones of the skeleton;
voluntary
o Location: attached to bones
Cardiac
o Composition: short, branched cells, each
containing one nucleus, striated
o Function: contraction of atria and ventricles
in heart, involuntary
 Involuntary
o Location: Walls of the Heart
Smooth
o Composition: spindle-shaped cells, each
containing one nucleus
o Functions: Slow, involuntary movement
o Location: Digestive tract, arteries
4. Nervous
o Uses electrical signals to convey
information rapidly within an animal’s
body
 Other cells then transmit that
information along nerves to the
central nervous system (brain and
spinal cord)