Biology 110

Study Guide Exam 1

 

Chapter 1: Organization of the Body

 

Anatomy - the study of the structure of body parts & their relationship to one another

 

Physiology - the study of the function of the body's structural machinery

 

Fields: Renal Physiology is the study of kidney function; Neurophysiology is the study of nervous system function...

 

Principle of complementarity of structure & function: the function of structure depends on its structural form

 

Levels of Structural Organization in Organisms:

Chemical Level:           Atoms/Elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sodium...)

                                    Molecules/Compounds (sugar, salt, water...)

                                    Macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids)

                                    Organelles (mitochondrion, nucleus, plasma membrane...)

Cellular Level

Tissue Level

Organ Level

Organ System Level

Organismal Level

 

Anatomical Position: standing straight, facing forward with feet slightly apart, arms at sides & palms of the hands facing forward.

 

Know the definitions of & be able to apply:

Anatomical Terms - see textbook

Planes & Sections of the body - see textbook

 

Know the location of each of the following.  Also know the subdivisions where appropriate (for example: the pleural cavity is within the thoracic cavity, which in turn is within the ventral body cavity).

Dorsal Body Cavity

-       Cranial cavity

-       Vertebral or Spinal cavity

Ventral Body Cavity

-       Thoracic cavity

-       Abdominopelvic cavity

 

Abdominopelvic Regions

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

 

Organ Systems:

-       Integumentary System (chapter 5): skin & accessory organs

-       Support & Movement

o      Skeletal System (chapter 6)

o      Muscular System (chapter 7)

-       Integration & Coordination

o      Nervous System (chapter 8)

o      Sense Organs (chapter 9)

o      Endocrine System (chapter 10)

-       Maintenance of the Body

o      Circulatory System (chapter 12)

o      Lymphatic System (chapter 13)

o      Respiratory System (chapter 14)

o      Digestive System (chapter 15)

o      Urinary System (chapter 16)

-       Reproduction & Development

o      Reproductive System (chapter 17)

 

Homeostasis - the maintenance of internal conditions within normal limits

Homeostatic Control Mechanisms: Receptors sense changes or stimuli in the environment & send information along an afferent pathway to a control center.  The control center determines the appropriate response & sends information along an efferent pathway to a receptor that effects a response.

 

Negative Feedback: the product or response shuts off or reduces the level of the original stimulus; the variable then changes in a direction opposite the initial change

Examples of negative feedback mechanisms: regulation of body temperature, the withdrawal reflex, regulation of blood glucose levels by the hormones insulin & glucagons

 

Positive Feedback - the product or response enhances or exaggerates he original stimulus such that the response is continued

Examples of positive feedback mechanisms: blood clotting, labor contractions during birth

 

Homeostatic Imbalance - some lack of ability to activate/carry out control mechanisms - age is one factor

 

 

 

Chapter 2: Chemistry of Life

 

Basic Chemistry:

Matter: anything that has mass & takes up space

-       matter is composed of elements

-       states of matter: solid, liquid or gas

 

Elements are composed of atoms

Atoms are composed of subatomic particles:

-       protons (+ charge)

-       neutrons (no charge)

-       electrons (- charge)

 

The atomic number of an atom = the number of protons in its nucleus

-       the periodic table is grouped according to atomic number (Hydrogen (H) has an atomic number of 1, Helium (He) has an atomic number of 2...)

 

The atomic mass (mass number) of an atom is the number of protons + the number of neutrons in its nucleus

-       the mass of electrons is negligible

-       Hydrogen (H) has a mass number of 1 (no neutrons), Helium (He) has a mass number of 4...

The atomic weight of an element is the average of the relative weights of all the isotopes of that element (the atomic weight of Hydrogen is 1.008).

 

Isotopes are atoms of an element that have the same number of protons (atomic number) but different mass numbers (different numbers of neutrons).

-       Examples:  12C, 13C, 14C

-       Radioactive isotopes are unstable isotopes that spontaneously decay into more stable forms (it can take up to thousands of years for half the atoms in an element to decay to the stable state)

-       Radioactivity can be detected with scanning devices, & radioisotopes can be incorporated into biological molecules...this makes radioisotopes useful tools for biological research & medicine).

 

Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Hydrogen (H) & Nitrogen (N) make up > 96% of the mass of a person

-       other elements in the human body: Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S), Sodium (Na), Chlorine (Cl), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I)...

 

Molecules: 2 or more atoms held together by chemical bonds

-       when 2 or more atoms of the same element bind, they form a molecule of that element

-       when 2 or more different atoms bind, they form one molecule of a compound

 

Chemical Bonds:

Electrons of an atom differ in amount of potential (stored) energy

-       electrons closest to the nucleus have the least potential energy (nonbonding electrons)

-       electrons farthest from the nucleus have the greatest potential energy (valence or bonding electrons)

 

      First energy level can contain a maximum of 2 bonding electrons

Second energy level, and all additional energy levels, can contain a maximum of 8 bonding electrons

 

Octet rule:  except for the first energy level, the outermost energy level is most stable when it has 8 bonding electrons (the first energy level is most stable with its maximum of 2 bonding electrons)

 

Bonding:

 

Ionic Bonding: transfer of electrons from one atom to another

-       results in ions:  charged particles resulting from charge imbalance     (greater or fewer electrons than protons) due to electron transfer

-       Examples:  NaCl, MgCl2, Na2O

-       Chemical formulas of compounds based on # of valence electrons (example:  from above: MgCl2, Mg has 2 valence electrons to donate,          while Cl can only accept 1, so two Cl atoms are needed to accept the 2 valence electrons donated by one Mg atom)

 

Covalent bonding:  sharing of electrons between 2 or more atoms

-       each atom acquires an octet of valence electrons (electrons in outermost shell).  Examples:  CH4, O2, H2, C6H12O6

-       water, H2O is formed by a polar covalent bond (unequal sharing of electrons)

 

Hydrogen Bonding:

-       bond between a slightly positive hydrogen atom of one molecule, and a slightly negative atom (usually oxygen or nitrogen)of the same or another molecule

-       weak bonding compared to ionic and covalent bonding, but many bonds increases strength

-       good example is water molecules

 

Biochemistry:

Inorganic Molecules:  Molecules which do not contain carbon and hydrogen (e.g.: salts, strong acids and bases, metal compounds)

-   usually ionic-bonding

 

Characteristics of Water:

-       resists changes in temperature (in part due to hydrogen bonding)

-       water has a high heat of vaporization

      high boiling point (100 degrees Celsius)

      energy needed to break hydrogen bonds

      water absorbs a lot of heat before evaporating releases heat as it cools - helps keep body temperature constant

-       water is cohesive (water molecules stick together, also due to hydrogen bonding)

      cohesiveness allows water to fill tubular vessels in body to transport & distribute molecules

-       water is the universal solvent:

a.     ionic compounds : salts

b.     polar covalent compounds

-       water dissociates or ionizes to release hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions

 

Electrolytes: substances that ionize, or break apart & release ions, when put into water

-       Acid:  molecules that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water

-       acids are hydrogen ion (proton) donors

 

-       Base:  molecules that release hydroxide (OH-) ions , or increase the number of hydroxide ions available, when dissolved in water

-       bases are hydrogen ion (proton) acceptors

 

-       Salt: ionically-bonded molecule that dissociates into cations & anions in solution

-       in the body, salts are electrolytes that conduct electricity (important for nerve & muscle cells) & provide essential chemical elements in body fluids (blood, lymph & interstitial fluids)

 

pH scale (power of hydrogen): indicates acidity or basicity of solution

-       ranges from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base)

-       pH < 7 is acidic; pH > 7 is basic; pH = 7 is neutral

-       water ionizes to release equal numbers of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions (neutral)

 

Buffers:  maintain stable pH of solution (resist changes in pH)

-       Buffers can take up excess hydrogen or hydroxide ions

-       Buffers have acidic and basic components

-       Blood uses carbonic acid (acidic) - bicarbonate ion (basic) buffer system

-       normal pH of blood is between 7.35 & 7.45

-       acidosis: blood pH < 7.35

-       alkalosis: blood pH > 7.45

-       Bicarbonate ions take up added hydrogen ions, and carbonic acid takes up excess hydroxide ions

 

Organic Molecules:  Carbon-based molecules

-   Carbon atoms are bonded mainly to atoms of hydrogen, oxygen, and   nitrogen, as well as some other atoms

-   Always contain carbon and hydrogen

-       Always covalent-bonding

 

Synthesis & degradation reactions used by organic macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, & nucleic acids)

-       Dehydration synthesis (condensation) reactions: formation of a bond with removal of water

-       Hydrolysis reactions: breaking of a bond by the addition of water

 

Carbohydrates: (contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms)

Monosaccharides:  simple sugars with a backbone of 3 to 7 carbon atoms

-       Glucose is a 6-carbon sugar (hexose) found in the blood of animals, and Fructose is a hexose found in fruits

-       Ribose is a 5 carbon sugar (pentose) found in RNA (in DNA, the pentose sugar is deoxyribose)

 

Disaccharides:  2 monosaccharides joined by condensation

-       Maltose (a disaccharide in the digestive tract) = glucose + glucose

-       Lactose ( a disaccharide in milk) = glucose + galactose (another hexose)

-       Sucrose (a disaccharide in fruits & vegetables) = glucose + fructose

 

Polysaccharides:

-       Glycogen is a highly branched polymer of glucose, and is the storage form of carbohydrates in animal cells (stored in liver cells)

-       Starch is a more moderately branched polymer of glucose, and is the storage form of carbohydrates in plant cells

-       Cellulose is an unbranched polymer of glucose, with adjacent chains held together by hydrogen bonds, giving it a very rigid structure.  It is the major structural component of plant cell walls

 

Lipids:

In the form of neutral fats (fats or oils)

One triglyceride = Glycerol + 3 fatty acids

-       Glycerol has 3 carbon atoms and 3 hydroxyl groups

-       Fatty acids have a long hydrocarbon (carbon + hydrogen) chain with a carboxylic acid group at one end

-       Condensation joins a fatty acid to each of the hydroxyl groups in glycerol

-       The condensation reaction removes the ionizable functional groups from fatty acids and glycerol; hence, these molecules are very hydrophobic

 

Saturated fatty acids: each carbon atom in the fatty acid molecules have the maximum number of bonded hydrogen atoms (each carbon is saturated with hydrogen atoms); there are no C=C double bonds

 

Unsaturated fatty acids: one or more carbon atoms in the fatty acid molecule has less than the maximum number of bonded hydrogen atoms; there are one or more C=C double bonds

 

In animal cells, neutral fats are in the form of fats

-       fats are solid at room temperature

-       fats contain more saturated fatty acids

 

In plant cells, neutral fats are in the form of oils

-       oils are liquid at room temperature

-       oils contain more unsaturated fatty acids

 

Phospholipids = Glycerol + 2 fatty acids + 1 polar (phosphate-containing) head group (instead of third fatty acid in triglyceride)

-       allows molecules to have hydrophobic end (2 fatty acids) and hydrophilic (phosphate) end

-       these molecules are the subunits of biological membranes in cells (e.g.: plasma membrane):  the polar head group is in contact with water on the inside and outside of the cell, and the hydrophobic fatty acid chains are buried in the center of the membrane

 

Steroids are composed of 4 fused carbon rings plus some variable functional side group

-       Cholesterol is a structural component of the plasma membrane in animals, and is used in the synthesis of vitamin D and bile salts

-       Cholesterol is a precursor form of steroid that is modified to produce several other types of steroids

-       Steroids function as hormones in animal cells

-       Accumulation of large amounts of these bulky molecules in animals can lead to reduced blood flow and hypertension (high blood pressure)

 

Proteins:

Proteins are composed of chains of amino acid monomers

-       There are 20+ different amino acids in cells of living organisms

-       Amino acids have a basic core structure plus an additional functional side chain

-       Each amino acid has a central carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, a hydrogen atom, and the remaining side chain (R group); it is the R group that differs in different amino acids

-       R groups can be nonpolar & hydrophobic, or polar & hydrophilic, depending on the atoms present

-       some proteins function as enzymes - organic catalysts that speed up chemical reactions

 

Polypeptide:  a chain of many amino acids joined by peptide bonds

-       a protein can be composed of one or several polypeptide chains

-       condensation of two amino acids in a growing polypeptide chain results in the formation of a peptide bond

-       hydrolysis of peptide bonds occurs between specific amino acids in a protein by the activity of specific enzymes (e.g.: pepsin)

 

Protein Structure

-       primary structure:  the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

-       secondary structure:  the formation of discrete structures (alpha helices or beta pleated sheets) involving several amino acids within a polypeptide chain (held together by hydrogen bonds)

-       tertiary structure:  the conformation of the polypeptide chain following interactions of regions of secondary structure

o      if the protein only consists of 1 polypeptide, this is the final structure of the protein

-       quaternary structure:  structure following interaction and bonding between two or more (the same or different) polypeptide chains

o      hydrogen or ionic bonding between polypeptide chains

 

Denaturation:  disruption of specific 3D structure of a protein by increasing temperature (boiling) or changing pH

-   may be reversible (remember:  the structure of a given polypeptide is specific as well as consistent and reproducible)

 

Nucleic Acids:

Nucleic Acids are polymers of nucleotide monomers

-   a nucleotide = a pentose sugar + a phosphate + a nitrogenous (nitrogen-containing) base

-   In RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), the pentose is ribose

-   In DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), the pentose is deoxyribose (missing a hydroxyl group at carbon # 2 relative to ribose)

DNA:

DNA is the genetic material of the cell (inherited from parents)

-       composed of a sequence of four different nucleotides

-       the 4 nucleotide subunits of DNA are named after the nitrogenous base each contains; the 4 bases are :  adenine (A)

                        cytosine (C)

                        guanine (G)

                        thymine (T)

-       DNA forms a double-helical structure (DNA is double-stranded), in which two chains bond together;  the sugar and phosphate groups are on the outside, and the nitrogenous bases interact by hydrogen bonding in the middle of the double helix

-       A pairs with T through 2 hydrogen bonds; C pairs with G through 3 hydrogen bonds (stronger)

-   the 2 strands (nucleotide chains) of the double helix are complementary:

 

RNA:

-       RNA is synthesized from 1 strand of DNA

-       RNA does not form a double helix (no pairing of complementary bases between 2 strands); RNA is single-stranded

-       RNA also uses 4 nucleotide subunits; however, uracil (U) replaces thymine in RNA

-       major forms of RNA in cells are: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) & ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

 

Genes in DNA code for polypeptides: the sequence of bases in DNA serves as a code for directing the sequence of bases in mRNA, and then the sequence of amino acids in a protein

 

 

 

Chapter 3:  Cells: The Living Units

 

Cells:

-       contain organelles:  small, membrane-bounded bodies with a specific structure & function (e.g.: mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes) in cytosol (semifluid medium between nucleus and plasma membrane)

-       cell wall in plant cells, fungi, protists, bacteria... for this course we'll focus on animal cells, which have no cell wall

 

Plasma membrane:  outer boundary of cells (except plant cells - also cell wall)

-       phospholipid bilayer:  semipermeable and selectively permeable

-       functions in regulation of passage of molecules into and out of the cell

 

-       fluid mosaic model:  the membrane is a fluid phospholipid bilayer, capable of lateral movement of membrane components, in which various protein molecules are either partially or wholly embedded

-       membrane components: 

-       phospholipids:  create bilayer

-       have polar & nonpolar parts

-       glycolipids:  protective function, and cell identity (specific for cell type)

-       cholesterol:  bulky; controls (reduces) permeability

-       proteins:  also glycoproteins; can be transmembrane (spans the entire membrane) or embedded in either the cytoplasmic or extracellular side of the membrane

-       glycoproteins (and glycolipids) function in cell-cell recognition (cell fingerprint); important in transplantation

-       fluidity:  Both phosholipids and membrane proteins are capable of lateral movement in the plasma membrane

-       phospholipids rarely change from cytoplasmic to extracellular side of the bilayer, or vice-versa, since the polar head group would have difficulty moving through the hydrophobic center

-       the amount of movement is dependent on composition of phospholipids, glycolipids, & cholesterol

 

Types of Membrane Proteins:

Channel Proteins:  create transient hydrophilic channel for small molecules & ions to flow into & out of cell

Carrier Proteins:  selectively interact with small molecules or ions to assist them across the membrane

Cell Recognition Protein:  Cell Identity; individual-specific groups of proteins on extracellular side of membrane (e.g.: MHC/HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) - important to match with donor to avoid rejection of transplanted organ or tissue)

Receptor Protein:  Interacts with specific molecule to transmit some type of signal or communication (electrical, chemical or contact) between cells (e.g.:  hormone receptors)

Enzymatic Protein:  Catalyzes (speeds up) some specific reaction which results in a cellular response

 

Plasma Membrane is semipermeable and selectively permeable:  some molecules may pass through freely (e.g.: water); others must be assisted across

 

Microvilli: very small, fingerlike projections that project from a free surface of some cells

-       increases surface for absorption

 

Nucleus: stores genetic information in all eukaryotic cells

-       DNA is organized into distinct chromosomes

-       Chromosomes are packaged with proteins to form chromatin

-       Chromatin exists in a semifluid medium called nucleoplasm

-       Dark regions within the nucleus are nucleoli (1 or more per cell)

-       Within each nucleolus, ribosomal RNA is produced and joins with ribosomal proteins to form ribosomes

-       The nucleus is bounded by a porous membrane, the nuclear envelope, which regulates passage of molecules into & out of the nucleus

-       The structure of the nucleus is maintained by the nuclear matrix, which contains a protein network called the nuclear lamina, which also provides chromatin attachment sites to maintain organization

 

Cytosol: consists of cytoplasm (the fluid within the cell outside the nucleus) & organelles

 

Ribosomes:  site of protein synthesis in the cell

-       free in cytoplasm (polyribosomes) or associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum

-       2 subunits (large & small); mRNA is threaded through subunits during translation (protein synthesis)

 

Gene Expression:

-       Transcription: DNA is transcribed to RNA in the nucleus

-       transcription is carried out by a 5' to 3' RNA Polymerase, as well as additional protein factors

-       the result is messenger RNA (mRNA)

 

-       Translation: mature mRNA is translated to protein in the cytoplasm

-       translation occurs at the ribosomes

-       tRNA molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome during translation (a tRNA for each amino acid)

-       rRNA along with proteins comprise the structure of the 2 subunits of the ribosome

 

Endomembrane System: includes Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles, and nuclear membrane

Endoplasmic Reticulum: (ER)

-       Rough ER:  associated with ribosomes; proteins translated on ribosomes associated with the rough ER will be transported and/or secreted outside cell

-   begins processing & modification of these proteins

-       Smooth ER:  synthesizes phospholipids in all cells; various other cell type-specific functions

-   synthesizes steroid hormones in testes, and detoxifies drugs in liver cells

 

Golgi Complex: completes modification of proteins from rough ER (proteins transported to Golgi in vesicles)

-       modification of proteins & lipids (addition of carbohydrate chains (glycosylation))

-       also transports organic molecules in vesicles; some become lysosomes

 

Lysosomes:  vesicles with digestive enzymes to break down macromolecules & cell debris

-       loss of some or all lysosome function in inherited disorders (Tay-Sachs disease) may lead to accumulation of unwanted molecules (& related toxicity)

 

Microbodies:  smaller version of lysosomes with specific enzyme activities

-       Proteasomes: destroy unneeded, damaged or faulty proteins in cell

-       Peroxisomes are microbodies that contain enzymes for oxidizing certain organic molecules with the release of hydrogen peroxide (toxic, but breaks down into water & oxygen)

 

Vacuoles:  larger membrane-bounded organelles

-       function in storage

 

Mitochondria:  produces energy

-       site of cellular respiration (ATP production from carbohydrates)

-       also have folded membrane system (folds are cristae, inner fluid-filled space is the matrix)

-       extensive membrane systems are important in both chloroplasts and mitochondria for ATP production

 

Centrosome: located near nucleus; consists of centrioles & pericentriolar material

-       centrioles: cylindrical structures composed of 9 clusters of three microtubules (triplets) arranged in circular pattern

-       pericentriolar material consists of hundreds of tubulin complexes

-       involved in organization of spindle fibers for chromosome movement during mitosis

 

Cilia and Flagella: composed of microtubules (9 + 2 pattern); used in movement

-       Cilia present in some unicellular protists (Paramecium) and cells of respiratory tract in animals

-       Flagella present in some unicellular protists (Euglena) and sperm cells

 

Plasma membrane transport:

Diffusion: movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (down concentration gradient)

-       lipid soluble molecules, gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and water can diffuse across the plasma membrane

 

Osmosis:  diffusion of water across a differentially permeable membrane (plasma membrane)

-   important in water retention

 

Tonicity: the strength (solute concentration) of a solution in relation to osmosis

-       in cells, the solute concentration of a solution with respect to that solute concentration inside the cell

-       isotonic (isoosmotic) solution: the net solute concentration of the solution equals that inside the cell

-       hypotonic (hypoosmotic) solution: the net solute concentration of the solution is less that inside the cell; animal cells swell (& eventually will burst - hemolysis)

-       hypertonic (hyperosmotic) solution: the net solute concentration of the solution is greater that inside the cell; animal cells shrink - crenation

 

Facilitated Diffusion:  passage of small molecules (glucose, amino acids) across the plasma membrane even though they may not be lipid-soluble

-       a carrier protein assists movement of molecules down concentration gradient

-       no energy is required

 

Filtration: a pressure gradient pushes solute-containing fluid (filtrate) from area of high pressure to area of low pressure

-       forces water & solutes through membrane or capillary wall by hydrostatic pressure

 

Active Processes:

Active Transport:  movement of small molecules or ions across membrane assisted by carrier protein and against concentration gradient - from region of lower concentration to region of higher concentration

-       requires energy (ATP)

-       (e.g.:  sodium-potassium pump)

-       secondary active transport: uses energy derived from primary active transport to drive other substances across membrane

 

Vesicular (membrane-assisted) transport:

-       transport of macromolecules into or out of cell in vesicles

-       vesicle: small, spherical sac that has budded off existing membrane

-       requires energy

 

-       Exocytosis:  moves macromolecules out of cell through vesicles budding off plasma membrane

 

-       Endocytosis: moves macromolecules into cell through vesicles budding off plasma membrane

-       Phagocytosis: endocytosis of large food particles or invading cells (bacteria)

     -    Common in macrophages of the immune system

-       Pinocytosis (bulk-phase endocytosis):  endocytosis of a liquid or very small particles (sampling of extracellular environment)

-     Receptor-mediated endocytosis:  endocytosis involving a receptor protein and its ligand (molecule it binds)

-       receptor proteins cluster together in clathrin-coated pits

 

 

Cell Division:

-       cell division involves nuclear division and cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm)

-       normally, most eukaryotic cells have two copies of each chromosome (2n, or diploid state); the 2 chromosomes of each pair are called homologous chromosomes or homologs

-       the reproductive cells (or gametes) have only one copy of each chromosome (n or haploid state)

-       human somatic cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes; gametes have 23 chromosomes

 

Cell Cycle: consists of Interphase and Mitosis

-       the time required for cell division is relatively constant for a given cell type of a given organism (usually between 14 and 24 hours)

 

Interphase:  consists of G1, S, and G2 stages.

-       DNA is duplicated & cell synthesizes proteins for mitosis & cell division

 

Mitosis: M stage

-       Prophase:  chromatin condenses and the nuclear membrane begins disintegration.

      spindle fibers form to move chromosomes in cell

-       Metaphase:  Chromosomes align at metaphase plate attached to spindle fibers

-       Anaphase:  Chromosomes move toward opposite poles of the cell due to disassembly of spindle fibers

-       Telophase:  Chromosomes are at opposite poles of the cell; nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, and spindle disappears.  Cytokinesis begins...

 

Cytokinesis: cells divide by means of a cleavage furrow

 

Meiosis: nuclear/cell division that reduces the chromosome number in a cell to one half its normal number (in humans, from 46 chromosomes to 23 chromosomes)

-       only occurs in reproductive tissues; forms gametes (sperm & egg cells)

-       spermatogenesis: meiosis in testes in males to form sperm cell

-       oogenesis: meiosis in ovary in females to form egg cell (ovum)

-       fertilization: fusion of sperm & egg cell to form zygote

      restores chromosome number to 46

      begins formation of embryo (new individual)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: Body Tissues & Membranes

 

Body Tissues

Tissue: a group of similarly specialized cells that work together to perform a common function in the body

-       4 major tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscular & nervous

 

Epithelial Tissue (epithelium): a sheet of cells that lines a body cavity or covers a body surface

-       covering & lining epithelium: skin & lining of body cavities

-       glandular epithelium: forms glands

-       many functions: protection (against water loss, injury & infection), absorption, secretion, excretion, filtration, sensory reception

 

Classification of Epithelia:

-       squamous (flattened), cuboidal (cube-shaped), & columnar (column-shaped) cells

-       simple (1 layer) or stratified (multiple layers)

 

Simple Squamous Epithelial Tissue: single layer of flattened cells with disc-shaped nuclei & little cytoplasm

-       locations: in kidney glomeruli, air sacs of lungs, heart lining, blood vessels & lymphatic vessels, lining of ventral body cavity

-       functions: diffusion & filtration; secretes lubricating substances in serosae

 

Simple Cuboidal Epithelial Tissue: single layer of cube-shaped cells with large spherical nuclei

-       locations: in kidney tubules, ducts of small glands, ovary surface

-       functions: secretion & absorption

 

Simple Columnar Epithelial Tissue: single layer of column-shaped cells with oval nuclei; some have cilia or microvilli; may include goblet cells

-       locations: nonciliated  in most of digestive tract, gallbladder & excretory ducts of some glands; ciliated in small bronchi, some regions of uterus

-       functions: absorption, secretion of mucus, enzymes...; ciliated propels mucus, reproductive cells

 

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelial Tissue: single layer of mostly column-shaped cells with different heights (some don't reach apical surface) & nuclei at different levels; some have cilia; may include goblet cells

-       locations: nonciliated  in male sperm-carrying ducts & ducts of large glands; ciliated type lines trachea & most of upper respiratory tract

-       functions: secretion & propulsion of mucus

 

Stratified Squamous Epithelial Tissue: multiple layers; basal layer cuboidal or columnar - carry out metabolism & mitosis; outer layers are keratinized

-       locations: nonkeratinized  in most of digestive tract, gallbladder & excretory ducts of some glands; ciliated in small bronchi, some regions of uterus

-       functions: protects underlying tissues

 

Stratified Columnar Epithelial Tissue: several layers - basal layer usually cuboidal

-       locations: male urethra & some large ducts of glands

-       functions: protection, secretion

 

Transitional Epithelial Tissue: several layers - basal layer cuboidal or columnar; surface cells dome-shaped or squamous-like (depending on stretch)

-       locations: ureters, bladder & part of  urethra

-       functions: stretches & distends urinary organ

 

 

Connective Tissue: most abundant primary tissue

-       connective tissue cells separated by extracellular matrix (collagen or elastin fibers; calcium phosphate (bone)

 

Connective Tissue Fibers:

-       collagen (white fibers): flexibility & strength

-       elastic (yelloe fibers): not as strong as collagen; more elastic

-       reticular fibers: very thin; highly branched collagenous fibers that form networks

 

Connective Tissue Types:

Loose Connective Tissue:

-       Areolar Connective Tissue: gel-like matrix with all 3 fiber types; fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages & some white blood cells

-       location: under many epithelia (forms lamina propria); around organs & capillaries

-       functions: cushions organs; many immune cells regulate immunity

 

-       Adipose Connective Tissue: gel-like matrix with all 3 fiber types; closely packed adipocytes (fat cells with large fat droplet)

-       location: under skin, around kidneys & eyeballs, within abdomen, breasts

-       functions: cushions organs; reserve food fuel, insulation

 

-       Reticular Connective Tissue: reticular fiber network in loose ground substance; reticular cells

-       location: lymphoid organs

-       functions: internal skeleton for support of other cell types

 

Dense Regular (Fibrous) Connective Tissue: dense (primarily) parallel collagen fibers, few elastin fibers; fibroblasts

-       location: tendons, ligaments, aponeuroses

-       functions: attaches muscles to bone & other muscles, attaches bones to bones; withstands high stress

Hyaline Cartilage: amorphous firm matrix; collagen fibers form glassy (invisible) network; chondrocytes in lacunae

-       location: embryonic skeleton, covers long bones in joints, costal cartilage of ribs, cartilage of nose, trachea & larynx

-       functions: support, cushioning, resists stress

 

Elastic Cartilage: similar to hyaline cartilage, with elastin fibers in matrix

-       location: external ear (pinna), epiglottis

-       functions: maintains shape while adding flexibility

 

Fibrocartilage: similar to hyaline cartilage, less firm with thick collagen fibers in matrix

-       location: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, knee joint discs

-       functions: tensile strength, absorbs shock

 

Bone: hard calcified matrix, many collagen fibers, well-vascularized, osteocytes in lacunae

-       location: bones

-       functions: support, levers for muscles, calcium storage, blood cell formation (hematopoiesis) in red bone marrow

 

Blood: red blood cells (erythrocytes) & white blood cells (leukocytes) in fluid matrix (plasma)

-       location: in blood vessels

-       functions: transports oxygen & carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes & other substances

 

Muscle Tissue:

Smooth Muscle: uninucleate, spindle-shaped cells; centrally located nucleus; nonstriated; involuntary muscle

-       location: lines hollow passageways such as: walls of blood vessels, airways to lungs, stomach, intestines & bladder

-       function: contraction helps constrict or narrow lumen of blood vessels, break down & move food through GI tract, move fluids & eliminate wastes

 

Skeletal Muscle: multinucleate, long cylindrical cells with peripheral nuclei; striated; voluntary muscle

-       location: attached to bones of skeleton

-       function: contraction helps move bones

 

Cardiac Muscle: one centrally located nucleus (usually); striated; branched; intercalated discs (desmosomes & gap junctions) between cells

-       location: myocardium of heart

-       function: contraction helps propel blood from heart to tissues

 

Nervous Tissue: neurons & supporting cells

-       location: brain, spinal cord & nerves

-       functions: transmit electrical signals from sensory receptors to effectors

Body Membranes:

Epithelial: skin

Mucous: lines body cavities (digestive tract, respiratory tract)

- specialized cells (glands) may secrete mucus

Serous: fluid membrane surrounding organs... pleura (lungs), pericardium (heart), peritoneum (digestive organs)

-       visceral & parietal

Synovial Membranes: line cavities of freely movable joints

-       areolar CT with elastic fibers & adipocytes

-       joint (synovial) cavity: potential space with synovial fluid

-       synovial membrane lines all internal joint surfaces except hyaline cartilage

-       synovial fluid: occupies free spaces in joint cavity; reduces friction