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Free flashcards to ace your USMLE - Histology & Cell Biology
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Histology & Cell Biology
47 flashcards
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals.
The four basic types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.
The cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell, regulating the passage of materials in and out of the cell through selective permeability.
The three main parts of an animal cell are the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing the genetic material (DNA) and regulating cellular activities such as growth and metabolism.
The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance that fills the cell, containing organelles and providing a platform for chemical reactions and cellular processes.
Mitochondria are organelles known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell, responsible for producing most of the cell's energy through the process of cellular respiration.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle involved in protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and transport of materials within the cell.
Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and metabolism, while rough ER has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein synthesis.
The Golgi apparatus is an organelle responsible for modifying, packaging, and distributing proteins and lipids synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Epithelial tissues are tightly packed sheets of cells that line internal and external body surfaces, providing protection, secretion, and selective permeability.
Connective tissues provide structural support, protect organs, bind tissues together, store energy reserves, and facilitate the transport of substances throughout the body.
The three types of muscle tissues are skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle.
Nervous tissue is responsible for receiving and transmitting electrical signals, allowing for communication and coordination within the body and with the external environment.
The basic functional unit of the nervous system is the neuron, which consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
Lysosomes are organelles that contain digestive enzymes, responsible for breaking down and recycling worn-out organelles, food particles, and other materials within the cell.
Ribosomes are organelles composed of RNA and protein, responsible for synthesizing proteins through the process of translation.
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments that provides structural support, shape, and motility to the cell, and facilitates the movement of organelles and molecules within the cytoplasm.
Plant cells have a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells lack these structures.
The process of cell division in somatic cells is called mitosis, which produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various specialized cell types, playing a crucial role in development, tissue renewal, and repair.
Simple epithelial tissues consist of a single layer of cells, while stratified epithelial tissues have multiple layers of cells.
Adipose tissue, also known as fat tissue, serves to store energy, insulate the body, and provide cushioning and protection for organs.
Dense connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, have a high density of fibers and provide structural support, while loose connective tissues, like areolar tissue, have fewer fibers and allow for flexibility and movement.
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that provides smooth surfaces for low-friction movement and flexible skeletal support, cushioning joints and ensuring smooth bone articulation.
Bone tissue is a type of connective tissue that provides structural support, protects vital organs, facilitates movement through its attachment to muscles, and stores minerals like calcium and phosphate.
Blood is a connective tissue that serves to transport oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body, and plays a role in immunity and homeostasis.
Skeletal muscle tissue is striated and responsible for voluntary movement, while smooth muscle tissue is non-striated and controls involuntary movements, such as those of the digestive and circulatory systems.
Cardiac muscle tissue is a specialized type of striated muscle found in the heart, responsible for the continuous, rhythmic contractions that pump blood throughout the body.
Oligodendrocytes are a type of glial cell in the central nervous system that produce the myelin sheath, which insulates and protects axons, facilitating efficient electrical signal transmission.
Schwann cells are a type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that produce the myelin sheath around axons, facilitating electrical signal transmission and providing trophic support to neurons.
Astrocytes are glial cells in the central nervous system that provide structural and metabolic support to neurons, regulate extracellular ion concentrations, and play a role in the blood-brain barrier.
Myelinated nerve fibers are insulated by a myelin sheath, which increases the speed of electrical signal transmission, while unmyelinated fibers lack this insulation and transmit signals more slowly.
Gap junctions are intercellular channels that directly connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, allowing for the exchange of ions, small molecules, and electrical signals between cells.
Tight junctions are protein complexes that seal the space between adjacent epithelial cells, forming a barrier that regulates the selective passage of materials and maintains cell polarity.
Desmosomes are specialized protein complexes that form strong adhesions between adjacent cells, providing structural integrity and strength to tissues that undergo mechanical stress, such as epithelial and muscle tissues.
The extracellular matrix is a complex network of proteins and molecules that provides structural support, regulates cell behavior, and facilitates communication between cells in connective tissues.
Basement membranes are thin, specialized sheets of extracellular matrix that separate epithelial tissues from underlying connective tissues, providing structural support and regulating cellular processes like differentiation and migration.
The cell cycle is a tightly regulated process that governs cell growth, DNA replication, and cell division, allowing for the production of new cells and the replacement of damaged or worn-out cells.
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a controlled process that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells, playing a crucial role in tissue homeostasis, development, and the immune response.
The blood-brain barrier is a specialized structure formed by endothelial cells and astrocytes that tightly regulates the passage of molecules and cells between the bloodstream and the brain, protecting the central nervous system.
The placenta is a temporary organ formed during pregnancy that facilitates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between the mother and the developing fetus, while also producing hormones necessary for fetal development.
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, tissues, and organs that plays a crucial role in immune function, fluid balance, and the absorption of fats from the digestive system.
Exocrine glands secrete their products (e.g., sweat, saliva, or digestive enzymes) through ducts, while endocrine glands release their secretions (hormones) directly into the bloodstream or extracellular fluid.
Melanocytes are specialized pigment-producing cells found in the basal layer of the epidermis that synthesize and distribute melanin, which provides protection against UV radiation and determines skin color.
The cornea is the transparent, avascular front portion of the eye that refracts and focuses light, playing a crucial role in vision by transmitting and focusing light onto the retina.
Taste buds are specialized clusters of neuroepithelial cells found on the tongue and other areas of the oral cavity that detect and transmit information about different taste qualities (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami).