Chapter 3:

Fundamental Cells and Tissues

Objectives – Lesson 1

• TSWBAT to define histology.• TSWBAT to identify the four basic tissue types. • TSWBAT to identify five important

characteristics of epithelial tissue.• TSWBAT to identify four essential functions of

epithelial tissue.

CellsIn the late 1600’s British born Robert Hooke coinedthe term "cell" to describe the basic unit of life.

Where did the term cell come from?•In 1665 Robert Hooke inspected thin slices of cork and found that they consisted of millions of small, “irregular units”•He used the term cell because the small, bare spaces reminded him of cells in a prison

Cell Basics• Cells are the building blocks of all plants and

animals• All cells come from the division of preexisting

cells• Cells are the smallest units that perform all vital

physiological functions• Each cell maintains homeostasis at the cellular

level

Cell Basics continuedLiving cells are about 60 % H20

All body cells are constantly bathed in a dilute saltwater solution called interstitial fluid (18 pints).

All exchanges between cells and blood are made through this fluid

Cell Facts

• The human body contains trillions of cells (200 types of cells)

• The average cells is just 0.02mm across• The largest cell in the body is an egg cell (0.15mm)• The longest cells are the nerve cells supplying your

legs (some measure as much as 4ft in length)• Five million of your body cells die every second

TissuesTissues - Groups of cells similar in structure and function

The four types of tissues:

1. Epithelial2. Connective3. Muscle4. Nerve (Neural)

Epithelial TissueEpithelium – A sheet of cells that covers a body surface or lines a

body cavity.

Occurs in the body in two ways:

1. Epithelia – layers of cells that cover internal or external surfaces

- Forms the outer layer of the skin

- Lines the open cavities of the reproductive, cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, urinary and respiratory systems and covers the walls and organs (line all passageways that communicate with the outside world)

2. Glandular Epithelium

- Forms the glands of the body (provide fluid secretions)

Epithelial Tissue Functions

A. Protection – protect exposed and internal surfaces from abrasion, dehydration, and destruction by foreign agents

B. Permeability – any substance that enters or leaves your body must cross an epithelium (provides selective absorption)

C. Sensation – provide information about the external and internal environments (example - sense smell)

D. Secretion – gland cells releases a substance (example – mucus)

Special Characteristics of Epithelium1. Cells fit closely together to form continuous sheets

(single/multiple layers)2. Membranes always have one free surface or edge

(exposed to body cavity, exterior of the body or lining an internal organ)

3. Lowest surface (basal surface) of epithelium rests on a basement membrane

4. Epithelial tissues have no blood supply (avascular) of their own (lack blood vessels); must obtain nutrients by diffusion or absorption from nearby tissues

5. If well nourished, epithelial cells regenerate themselves (high rate of mitosis)

Check point

•Define histology.• Identify the four major

types of tissues in the body.

Classification of Epithelia

• There are many different specialized types of epithelia

• Organized into categories based on:1. Cell shape2. The number of cell layers between the

basement membrane and the exposed surface of the epithelium

Classification of Epithelial Tissue

Cell Shape:• Squamous = flat (attach like tiles)• Cuboidal = thicker, cube shaped• Columnar = tall, cylindrical

Classification of Epithelia

Figure 4.1b

Squamous (skwa’mus) Flattened and scalelike

Cubodial (ku-boi’dahl) Boxlike, as tall as they are wide.

Columnar Tall and column shaped.

Classification of Epithelial TissueNumber of cell layers:Simple = one layer of cells covers the basement

membrane Thin/Fragile Located in protected areas in the body (ventral body

cavities, heart chambers and blood vessels). Why? Regions in which secretion or absorption occurs (lining

of the intestines, lungs)• Stratified = Multilayered (several layers cover basement

membrane) Located in areas that are exposed to stresses (mouth, skin)

Classification of Epithelial Tissue

Each epithelium is given two names. 1. The first name indicates the number of cell layers present2. The second name describes the shape of its cells3. Followed by epithelium or epithelial tissueExample : 4. Simple (1 layer)5. Squamous (Flat cell shape)6. Epithelium

Epithelia: Simple Squamous

Figure 4.2a

Epithelia: Simple Cuboidal

Figure 4.2b

• Single layer of cubelike cells with large, spherical central nuclei

• Function in secretion and absorption• Present in kidney tubules, ducts and secretory

portions of small glands, and ovary surface

Epithelia: Simple Columnar

Figure 4.2c

Pseudostratified Columnar

• Includes several types of cells with varying shapes and functions

• The distances between the cell nuclei and the exposed surface vary, so the epithelium appears to be layered (stratified)

• It is not truly stratified because every epithelial cell contacts the basement membrane

• Typically possess cilia (slender organelle that extends above the free surface of an epithelial cell and undergoes movement)

Epithelia: Pseudostratified Columnar

Figure 4.2d

• Single layer of cells with different heights; some do not reach the free surface

• Nuclei are seen at different layers• Function in secretion and propulsion of mucus• Present in the male sperm-carrying ducts

(nonciliated) and trachea (ciliated)

Epithelia: Stratified Squamous – Most Common

Figure 4.2e

• Thick membrane composed of several layers of cells

• Function in protection of underlying areas subjected to abrasion

• Forms the external part of the skin’s epidermis (keratinized cells), and linings of the esophagus, mouth, and vagina (nonkeratinized cells)

Epithelia: Stratified Cuboidal and Columnar

Stratified cuboidal– Quite rare in the body– Found in some sweat and mammary glands– Typically two cell layers thick

Stratified columnar – Limited distribution in the body– Found in the pharynx, male urethra, and lining of some

glandular ducts– Also occurs at transition areas between two other types

of epithelia

Transitional Epithelium

• Unusual stratified epithelium because it tolerates repeated cycles of stretching and recoiling without damage

• It is called transitional because the appearance of the epithelium changes as stretching occurs

Epithelia: Transitional

Figure 4.2f

• Several cell layers, basal cells are cuboidal, surface cells are dome shaped

• Stretches to permit the distension of the urinary bladder

• Lines the urinary bladder, ureters, and part of the urethra

Epithelia: GlandularGland - One or more cells that makes and secretes

a particular product (secretion).Classified by:– Site of product release

endocrine (internally secreting) exocrine (externally secreting)

– Relative number of cells forming the gland unicellular (one-celled) multicellular (many-celled)

Endocrine Glands

• Ductless glands that produce hormones• Hormones are regulatory chemicals that enter

the blood or lymphatic fluid and travel to organs• Each hormone prompts its target organ to

respond in some characteristic way

Exocrine Glands• More numerous than endocrine glands• Secrete their products onto body surfaces (skin)

or into body cavities• Examples include mucus, sweat, oil, salivary

glands, the liver (secretes bile), the pancreas (synthesizes digestive enzymes)

• Unicellular & Multicellular

Mitosis

• Equal division of material in the nucleus, followed by division of the cell body (nuclear cell division)

• Epithelial cells have a high rate of mitosis to allow for frequent repair