cells, tissues, organs, and systems (week 14) Flashcards
(16 cards)
what are emergent properties?
new characteristics that arise when individual parts of a system interact, forming a more complex whole
e.g., a tissue has properties not seen in the individual cells that make it up
levels of organisation:
cell, tissue, organ, organ system
what is the basic unit of life?
a cell
what is a tissue?
a group of cells with a similar structure, working together to perform a function
what is an organ?
a structure of different tissues working together to perform a function
what is a body/organ system? list 4 examples
a group of organs, working together to perform a MAJOR function
- circulatory: transports nutrients and oxygen
- respiratory: allows breathing through gas exchange
- digestive: breaks down food
- excretory: removes waste
what is cell differentiation?
the process where unspecialised cells (like stem cells) become specialised. occurs when certain genes are activated/deactivated, leading to changes in cell structure and function suited to a specific role
why is cell differentiation important?
allows cells to perform unique roles within tissues, enabling the formation of organs and systems in multicellular organisms
what are the main types of animal tissues?
epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous
what is the function of epithelial tissue?
covers and protects body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, forms glands. helps with absorption, secretion, and barrier protection (e.g., skin, linking or intestines)
what is the function of endothelial tissue?
a type of epithelial tissue: lines blood vessels and the heart. regulates the exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues
what is the function of connective tissue?
- supports, connects, and separates tissue and organs
- includes: bone, blood, fat, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage
- contains intercellular matrix, and collagenous fibres which are non-elastic, and don’t tear easily when pulled on
what is the function of muscle tissue?
what are the three types
specialised to convert ATP into mechanical energy for movement. enables movement by contracting.
- skeletal (voluntary movement)
- cardiac (heart contraction)
- smooth (involuntary movement in organs)
what is the function of nervous tissue?
transmits electrical signals through the body, allows communication between the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. controls bodily functions, responds to stimuli
- sensory neurons
- motor neurons
- interneurons
what is the intercellular matrix?
a network of protein fibres
what is autograft/allograft transplantation?
autograft: transplanted tissue from the patient’s own body to another area of their body
allograft: transplanted tissue or organs from the body of one person to the body of another person
