Structure of the Main Tissues of the Body and Their Role

Tissue group

Sub-type of tissue

Structure (image plus a few words)

Function (what does it do)

Where it can be found and what it does there (2 examples)

Simple epithelial Tissue

Squamous

One cell thick on basement membrane. Flat

Allows substances to pass through e.g. O2 and CO2

Alveoli, capillary walls

Cuboidal

One cell thick on basement membrane. Square.

Secretion and absorption

Kidney tubules, ducts of glands

Columnar

One cell thick on basement membrane. Columns

Produce secretions

Lining of the upper airways

Ciliated

One cell thick. Column with cilia

Move secretions

Lining of upper airways

Stratified Squamous epithelium

Keratinised

Multiple layers. Contains keratin in the upper layers.

Protects, tough, water proof, protects against bacteria

Skin

Non-keratinised

Multiple layers. Does not contain keratin in the upper layers

Protects, quite tough, protects against bacteria

oesophagus

Connective

Areolar

Cells are spaced in-between fibres of elastin and collagen. Fat cells are present in the tissue.

Collagen provides structure and firmness to tissue. Elastin make. the tissue flexible.

Throughout the body e.g. skin

Adipose

Similar to areolar with more fat cells

Protects and insulates

Around main organs

Bone tissue

Made up of osteocytes (bone cells). There is spongy and dense bone tissue. Well supplied by blood vessels.

Support, protection and facilitates movement

Skull, sternum

Cartilage

Cells more widely spaced and there are 3 main types. More flexible than bone.

Support and flexibility

Nose and ears

Blood

Plasma

RBCs

White blood cells

Platelets

Nutrients

Muscle Tissue

Smooth

Spindle shaped cells arranged in sheets

Contracts and relaxes to create movement not under conscious control

Gastrointestinal tract

Striated

Elongated cell fibres running parallel to each other arranged in bundles

Contracts and relax to create movement under conscious control

Biceps

Cardiac

Muscle fibres are interconnected, contain multiple nuclei, unconscious control

Pumps blood

Heart

Nervous Tissue

Neurones (motor neurones and sensory neurones)