UNIT TITLE: TISSUES

TITLE OF THE LESSON: ANIMAL TISSUES

DURATION: 3 hours

INTRODUCTION
Animals are composed of specific tissues, which are groups of cells similar in
structure that perform a common function. Groups of two or more tissue types form
organs, and two or more organs form organ systems. For example, nervous tissue is
composed of cells called neurons that receive and conduct electrical signals. Nervous
tissue, along with other tissue types, forms the brain, spinal cord and nerves (organs),
which collectively make up the nervous system (organ system).

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Describe epithelial tissues
2. Discuss the different types of connective tissues in animals
3. Describe three types of muscle tissues
4. Describe nervous tissue

CONTENTS:
1. Epithelial Tissues
2. Connective Tissues
3. Muscle Tissues
4. Nervous Tissues
 LESSON 13
ANIMAL TISSUES

Animal Tissue
❖ Multicellular (large) organisms function more efficiently if cells become
specialized for specific functions.
❖ A tissue is composed of cells that function together in a
specialized activity.

There are four types of tissues found in an animal.

1. Epithelial tissue
2. Connective tissue
3. Muscle tissue
4. Nervous tissue

1. Epithelial tissue
Forming tight covering and
protecting layers below

2. Connective tissue
Holding other tissues
together and are surrounded by
lots of nonliving material.

3. Muscle tissue
Shortening and lengthening to
move other tissues.

4. Nervous tissue
Allowing rapid flow of ions
in and out to conduct
signals
A. EPITHELIAL TISSUES
❖ Epithelial tissues line body surfaces and cavities, as well as form glands.
❖ The cells of the tissue are closely connected to each other via cellular junctions
and because epithelium is found on the edges of organs, it has two distinct
surfaces.
❖ The apical surface is exposed to the body cavity or exterior, while the basal
surface is adjacent to the underlying tissue.
❖ Epithelia contain no blood vessels (they are non-vascular) and are dependent
upon the underlying connective tissue for nutrients.

There are different types of epithelial tissue which are named according to the number
of layers they form and the shape of the individual cells that make up those layers.

According to shape:

1. Squamous – thin flat cells

2. Cuboidal – cells are roughly

Figure SEQ Figure \*
square ARABIC 1 squamous

3. Columnar - elongated cells

Figure 2 cuboidal

Figure 3 columnar

Epithel
Location
ial tissue Structure Function
in body
type
Thin and flat cells that are
Simple Simple: elliptically shaped and lie on
Responsible for diffusion.
squamous capillaries, basement membrane. Simple
Thin structure allows for
and alveoli (in squamous epithelium is one-
movement of substances across
stratified lungs); cell thick. Stratified squamous
the cells.
squamous stratified: skin epithelium consists of many
layers.
Kidney
tubules or
Serve a protective function
glands Cube-like in structure; may
against bacteria and the wearing
Cuboid (regions of occasionally have structures
away of certain organs by lining
al the body called microvilli on surface to
various structures. Also prevent
responsible aid absorption.
water loss.
for excretion).

Digestive Elongated cells, nuclei

Main function is protective.
Column tract, located at the base of the cell.
Prevents against bacterial
ar reproductive Cells connected by tight
infection. Can also secrete
organs junctions and receive their
 nutrients from the basement mucus to protect surface from
membrane. damage.

A sub-type of columnar epithelium called ciliated columnar epithelium is found in

some places in the body. Ciliated columnar epithelium contain little finger-like
projections called cilia. These cilia beat in a wave-like motion to move particles,
mucus or other substances around the body. Ciliated epithelium is found in the trachea
and bronchi of the respiratory system and in the fallopian tubes of the female
reproductive tract.

According to number of layers:

1. Simple epithelium refers to a single layer of cells.

2. Stratified epithelium refers to two or more layers of cells.

Note: Pseudostratified epithelium refers to epithelium consisting of one layer but

looking as though it consists of more than one layer. magulong layer in short

❖ Two types of epithelial tissues

1. Covering and lining epithelium ( outer layer of the skin and some organs)
2. Glandular epithelium ( constitute the secreting portion of glands)
❖ Glands are made up of single or a
mass of epithelial cells.
Two types of glands
1. Exocrine - Secrete their products
in to ducts
Ex . Salivary glands and
mammary glands
2. Endocrine - Secrete their
products into blood
stream
Ex. Pancreas

General functions of epithelial tissue

● Provides a barrier between the external environment and the organ it covers.
● Specialized to function in secretion and absorption.
● Protects organisms from microorganisms, injury, and fluid loss.
● Excretes waste products such as sweat from the skin.

B. CONNECTIVE TISSUES
Connective tissue is a biological tissue that is important in supporting, connecting or
separating different types of tissues and organs in the body. All connective tissue is
made up of cells, fibres (such as collagen) and extracellular matrix. The type of
intercellular matrix differs in different connective tissues. There are different types of
connective tissues with different functions. Note: All connective tissues are
characterized by cells separated from each other and found in some type of
intercellular matrix.

The organic portion or protein fibers found in connective tissues are either collagen,
elastic, or reticular fibers. Collagen fibers provide strength to the tissue, preventing it
from being torn or separated from the surrounding tissues. Elastic fibers are made of
the protein elastin; this fiber can stretch to one and one half of its length and return to
its original size and shape. Elastic fibers provide flexibility to the tissues. Reticular
fibers are the third type of protein fiber found in connective tissues. This fiber consists
of thin strands of collagen that form a network of fibers to support the tissue and other
organs to which it is connected.

Electron micrographs of blood cells

Scanning electron Scanning electron

microscope image of microscope image of a
circulating blood showing white blood cell (right), a
several red and white platelet (centre) and a red
blood cells. blood cell (left).

Connecti
ve tissue Structure Function Location Diagram/Photo
type
 holds the
surrounds
organs in
jelly matrix; blood vessels
place,
Areolar has network of and nerves Loose connective
cushions and
(loose elastic fibres found in the tissue.
protects
connective) which attach mesentry which
organs (acts
together surrounds the
as a packing
intestine
material)

in tendons,
acts as a
ligaments and
shock
White consists of many tough
absorber,
fibrous non-elastic fibres membrane
transfers or
sheaths that White fibrous
absorbs forces
surround organs tissue.

gives
structure,
shape and
rubbery joints, nose,
strength;
Cartilage matrix, can be sternum,
reduces
flexible or rigid trachea
friction;
provides Cartilage
support

provides
made up of
strength and
collagen fibres;
support;
Bone mineralised with bones found
creates red
tissue calcium and all over the body
blood cells and
phosphates to Osteoclast, a type of
white blood
make it solid bone tissue.
cells
The following table lists some of the different types of connective tissue.

Blood

Blood is regarded as a specialized form of connective tissue because it originates in

the bones and has some fibres. Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets. These components are suspended in a yellow fluid known as
plasma.

Red blood cells: called erythrocytes are made in the red bone marrow. They do not
have a nucleus and are biconcave in shape. Their biconcave shape makes them
flexible so that they can squeeze through narrow capillaries. It also gives them a bigger
surface to volume ratio, so that they absorb and release gases faster. Red blood cells
have a short life span of approximately 120 days. Red blood cells contain the protein
known as hemoglobin. Hemoglobin contains the pigment known as heme that has an
iron (Fe) at its center that combines with oxygen.
Hemoglobin releases oxygen as required and takes up carbon dioxide. Red blood cells
transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the
tissues to the lungs.
White blood cells: Are commonly known as leukocytes and are produced in the
yellow bone marrow and lymph nodes. The cells have one or more nuclei. White blood
cells are slightly larger than red blood cells and are more irregular in shape. Their main
function is to protect the body from diseases. There are several types of white blood
cells.

Platelets: Also known as thrombocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are
fragments of bone marrow cells. They have no nuclei. Platelets assist in the clotting of
blood and prevent excessive bleeding.

Plasma: Plasma is the pale-yellow component of blood that allows the rest of the
components of blood to float in suspension. It makes up about 55% of total blood
volume. It contains dissolved proteins, hormones, urea and carbon dioxide. Its main
functions are to transport nutrients, cells and metabolic waste products and maintain
blood volume.

C. MUSCLE TISSUES
There are three types of muscle tissue:
1. skeletal
2. smooth
3. cardiac

Skeletal and cardiac muscle are striated. Striated muscle cells are striped, with regular
patterns of proteins responsible for contraction. Striated muscle contracts and relaxes
in short bursts, whereas smooth muscle contracts for longer.
1. Skeletal muscle is a voluntary muscle. It is striated in appearance. Skeletal muscle
tissue has regularly arranged bundles. It is anchored by tendons and is used to effect
skeletal muscle movement, such as locomotion, and maintain posture. The muscles
have a reflex action but can also respond to conscious control.
2. Smooth muscle is an involuntary, non-striated muscle with tapered ends. It is found
within the walls of blood vessels such as arteries and veins. Smooth muscle is also
found in the digestive system, urinary tract and in the trachea. It is responsible for
involuntary rhythmic contractions of peristalsis, required for moving food down the
alimentary canal, and for the dilation and construction of blood vessels to control blood
pressure.
3. Cardiac muscle is the major tissue making up the heart. It is an involuntary muscle
that is striated in appearance. However, unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle
connects at branching, irregular angles. The connected branches help with
coordinated contractions of the heart.
D. NERVOUS TISSUES
Cells making up the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system are
classified as nervous tissue. In the central nervous system, nervous tissue forms the
brain and spinal cord. In the peripheral nervous system the nervous tissue forms the
cranial nerves and spinal nerves, which include the sensory and motor neurons.

The function of nerve tissue is to transmit nerve impulses around the body. Nerves
consist of a cell body (soma), dendrites, which receive impulses, and axons which
send impulses. The axons of neurons are surrounded by a myelin sheath. The myelin
sheath consists of layers of myelin, a white fatty substance. The myelin sheath's main
function is to insulate nerve fibres and it also increases the speed of the impulses
transmitted by the nerve cell. There are three types of nerve cells: sensory neurons,
interneurons and motor neurons.
 Sensory neuron Motor neuron Interneuron

Sensory neurons are

responsible for sending Motor neurons carry
These neurons are
information about the impulses from the CNS to
very short compared to the
environment (called muscles or glands. In most
sensory and motor
stimuli) to the central cases the motor neuron
neurons. The connectors
nervous system. They are causes muscle contraction
or interneurons connect a
activated by touch, light, (movement), but motor
sensory neuron with a
temperature, pressure, neurons can also cause
motor neuron. The impulse
hearing etc. Sensory nerve secretion of substances by
travels from the cell body
cells (or sensory neurons) glands. The motor neuron
at the head end along the
carry impulses (electrical causes a response via
short axon to the
signals) from a receptor to chemicals known as
dendrites.
the central nervous system neurotransmitters.
(CNS).