Anatomy and Physiology Tissue Review

OVERVIEW
Histology practicals can be rough, especially when access to slides is limited to the lab period. This resource provides
an opportunity to learn or review the structure and functions of various tissue types as they examine specimens using
the BioNetwork virtual microscope.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this activity you will use the microscope to investigate different types of tissues found in the human body. Some
of the structures will relate directly to the function of the tissues. In other cases, the combination of tissues is the key
to how things function. For example, the trachea includes pseudostratified columnar epithelium, hyaline cartilage,
and smooth muscle. The combination of these tissues allows us to take oxygen deep into our lungs at the same time
preventing dust, pollen, and viruses from getting too far into the respiratory system.

For lecture and lab, you will need to know the description, function, and location of EACH type of tissue!!!

PROCEDURE
Follow instructions from the A&P Microscopy Lab to find the Human slides in the Slide Catalog. View each slide
listed up to the 10X, or 40X objective as needed. It may also be helpful to use the information and photos in an A&P
textbook as a resource to help identify the tissues listed below.

Hint: You may have to drag the slide around to get a good view of the tissue.

Describe what you see in the charts on the following pages: think about how each is different and how the cells are
arranged. In addition, and add a sketch for each. Finally, answer the questions at the end of the document.
PART A: Epithelial tissue
For each example, sketch what you see and describe your observation.

Simple Squamous
Purpose: Single layer of flat cells allows molecules to diffuse through easily.
Location: Glomeruli of kidneys, Air sacs of lungs, Lines heart and vessels (blood and lymph)
Describe:

Simple Cuboidal
Purpose: Cube cells in a single layer that function in secretion and absorption
Location: Kidney tubules, Ducts in small glands, and Surface of ovaries
Describe:

Simple Columnar*
*Look for goblet cells
Purpose: Tall cells forming columns that function in absorption and secretion
of enzymes, mucus, etc. May have cilia.
Location: Lining of digestive tract, Lines small bronchi, uterine tubes, and
regions of the uterus (ciliated form)
Describe:
Pseudostratified Columnar
*Look for goblet cells and cilia
Purpose: Elongated cells of different heights, nuclei at different levels, have
cilia – secretion (particularly secretes mucus), uses cilia to move mucus
Location: Upper respiratory tract and trachea, Lines male sperm ducts and ducts
of large glands (non-ciliated type)
Describe:

Stratified Squamous
Purpose: Several cell layers: flattened cells at top and more cube-shaped cells
towards the bottom. Used for protection. SKIN
Location: Linings of esophagus, mouth, and vagina
Describe:

Transitional
Purpose: Several layers with cube shaped and tall cells, cells at surface
are dome shaped or flat. Stretchy tissue used in urinary system.
Location: Lines ureters, bladder, and urethra
Describe:
PART B: Connective tissues
For each example, sketch what you see and describe your observation.

Areolar (Loose)
Purpose: Gel-like matrix with fibers (collagen, fibroblasts, and elastic fibers).
Wraps around and provides cushioning to organs
Location: Under epithelia, around organs, and surrounds capillaries
Description:

Adipose (Loose)
Purpose: Gel-like matrix with sparse cells (adipocytes). Stores fuel, provides
insulation to body, protects organs
Location: Under skin, around kidneys, eyes, and in breasts
Description:

Reticular (Loose)
Purpose: Network of reticular fibers that form a soft internal skeleton
Location: Lymphoid organs
Description:
Dense Regular
Purpose: Collagen fibers in parallel rows, fibroblasts. Withstands pressure of
pulling in one direction.
Location: Tendons. Most ligaments, and aponeuroses
Description:

Elastic (Dense)
Purpose: Dense tissue with mainly elastic fibers. Brings tissue back after
stretching: blood pulse through arteries, recoil of lungs
Location: Walls of large arteries, ligaments of the backbone, and walls of bronchial tubes
Description:
Part C: Cartilage
For each example, sketch what you see and describe your observation.

Hyaline Cartilage
Purpose: Firm matrix with collagen fibers (chondrocytes in lacunae).
Support and reinforcement.
Location: Ends of long bones in joints, Cartilage of ribs, Cartilage of nose, trachea,
and larynx, and Skelton of embryo
Description:

Elastic Cartilage
Purpose: More elastic fibers than hyaline. Maintains shape but allows for flexibility
Location: Auricle of ear, Epiglottis
Description:

Fibrocartilage
Purpose: Predominantly thick collagen fibers, matrix less firm than hyaline
Location: Discs between vertebrae, Discs of knee joint
Description:
Part D: Bone
For each example, sketch what you see and describe your observation.

Compact Bone (Osseous Tissue)

Part E: Blood
For each example, sketch what you see and describe your observation.

Cells*
*Look for RBCs and a WBC (stained purple)
Purpose: Cells in plasma (fluid matrix), Erythrocytes (Red blood cells)- carries Oxygen,
Leukocytes (WBCs) - defends against pathogens
Location: Within blood vessels
Description:
QUESTIONS
1) What are tissues and what are the four main types of tissue?

2) Know functions and basic structures of each type of tissue.

3) What are the classes and characteristics of epithelia?

4) What is the difference between an endocrine and exocrine gland?

5) Name the types of exocrine glands based on structure and mode of secretion.

6) What are the four classifications of connective tissue and their overall functions?
a) What structural differences did you notice?

7) Fluid Connective Tissues (blood vs. lymph; erythrocytes vs. leukocytes)

8) Differences between cartilage and bone, and specialized structures of each.

9) What are the two cell types found in nervous tissue? Know cell parts of a neuron.

10) What are the three types of muscle tissue and the defining characteristics of each?

11) What is a major difference between skeletal and smooth muscle?

12) What is the structural component that is unique to cardiac muscle?