Study of Animal Tissues

dr. aarif
Organization of an Organism
- A cell is the structural and functional unit
of life.
- A cell is a mass of protoplasm surrounded
by a plasma membrane.
- The protoplasm of cell is generally with a
spherical nucleus and a variety of
cytoplasmic living cell-organelles like the
endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi
bodies, centrioles, ribosomes, lysosomes,
etc.
- Each cell organelle performs a specific
function.

Somatic cells:
- These are general body cells present all
over the body except reproductive organs.
These cells are responsible for all the bodily
activities.
Germ cells:
- These are also called ‘sex cells’. These cells
are concerned with the reproduction and
are present in the reproductive
system/organ.
Tissue :
- A group of cells similar in form, structure and embryonic origin which
coordinate to perform a specific function is called a simple tissue,
- while a group of cells, different in their structure and function but coordinating
to perform a specific function, is called a compound tissue.
- Various tissues combine together in an orderly manner to form large functional
units called organs. Number of organs work in coordination and give rise to
organ-system.
- The branch of science that deals with the microscopic study of tissues is called
histology.
 Epithelial Tissues
(a.k.a. Covering tissues. These tissues are present for protection.)

T Connective Tissues
(a.k.a. Supporting tissues. These tissues help in binding different body
I structures.)
S
S
U
E Muscular Tissues
(a.k.a. Contractile tissues. These tissues help in movements and
S locomotion.)

Nervous Tissues
(a.k.a. Conducting tissues. These tissues help in conduction of nerve
impulses.)
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE
General position:
- It covers the outer surface of all the organs of the body and also lines the cavities of all
the hollow organs of the body.
Structure:
- Cells are arranged in one or more layers.
- Cells are compactly arranged and there is no or very little intercellular material
(matrix) between them.
- Cells of the lowermost layer rest on thin, double layered, non-cellular, non-living
basement membrane (or basal lamina)
- Cells may originate from any primary germ layer i.e. ectoderm (e.g. epidermis of
skin), mesoderm (e.g. coelomic i.e body cavity epithelium), endoderm (e.g. mid gut
epithelium).
- Cells are non-vascular or avascular, i.e. they lack their own blood supply. These cells
get their nutrition from the blood capillaries present in the underlying connective
tissue.
- Cells have the power of division and regeneration throughout life. The old injured
dead cells are sloughed off (removed) regularly.
- Free surface of the cells may be smooth, or may have fine hair-like cilia or microvilli.
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Simple Compound

1. Simple Squamous
2. Simple Cuboidal 1. Stratified
3. Simple Columnar 2. Transitional
a. Ciliated
b. Non- ciliated
4. Simple Gandular
5. Simple sensory
6. Simple Germinal
SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM

Origin:
- It is found in the peritoneum of coelom and
endothelium (i.e. lining of the blood
vessels).
- It is also found on the surface of the skin.
Structure:
- The cells are polygonal in shape, thin,
delicate and flat.
- The nucleus is centrally placed. They
appear like flat tiles when viewed from the
top and so they are also called pavement
epithelium.
Functions:
- Filtration and diffusion of material.
- Protection of skin from micro-organisms
and foreign particles.
SIMPLE CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM

Origin:
- It is generally found in the thyroid gland and
kidney.
Structure:
- The cells are cube shaped, with centrally
placed round or spherical nucleus.
Functions:
- They play an important role in absorption
and secretion.
SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Origin:
- It makes the inner lining of stomach,
intestine and other internal organs.
Structure:
- The cells are tall, pillar-like with anterior
free end that is broader than the posterior
narrow end resting on the basement
membrane.
- Nucleus is oval or elliptical and is placed
near the basal end
CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Origin:
- It is found in the upper respiratory tract,
fallopian tube of vertebrates.
Structure:
- The cells are tall, pillar-like with anterior
free end that is broader than the posterior
narrow end resting on the basement
membrane.
- The anterior free end shows presence of
large number of thin protoplasmic
extension called cilia, which are seen rising
from the basal granules.
- Nucleus is oval and placed at the basal end.
Functions:
- Since cilia are capable of vibratory
movement, they are able to remove foreign
particles from the surface. Cilia help in the
movement of non-motile ovum.
NON- CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Structure:
- These are without cilia at their anterior free
end and hence called non-ciliated columnar
epithelium.
- Columnar cells at their apical region show
presence of finger like protoplasmic
projections called microvilli.
Functions:
- Microvilli help in increasing the surface
area of absorption which is the main function
of non-ciliated columnar epithelium.
SIMPLE GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM

- These are specialized epithelial cells

capable of synthesizing substances like
enzymes, hormones, sweat, oil, etc.
- These secretions are carried into ducts
(tubes) on the surface or into blood.
- The structure formed by these specialized
epithelial cells is commonly called a GLAND

- Glands are further classified as:

a) Endocrine glands
b) Exocrine glands
SIMPLE GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM

Endocrine Glands:
- These glands pour their secretion directly into the blood stream. Such glands lack
ducts and are thus called ductless glands.
- e.g.: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, ovary, testis, adrenal, islets of Langerhans.
Exocrine Glands:
- These glands are with ducts. Their secretion is carried by means of a duct or tube to
the site of action. They are responsible for body secretions.
- e.g.: tear glands, salivary glands, gastric and intestinal glands.
Exocrine Glands
 COMPOUND EPITHELIUM

1. STRATIFIED EPITHELIUM 2. TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

 CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Origin: - Arise from the mesoderm of the embryo.
Most abundant type of animal tissue
Structure:
- The connective tissues consist of variously shaped cells lying wide apart in a
large, amount of non-living intercellular or extracellular material called the
matrix.
- The matrix is also called ground substance. It is usually secreted by the
connective tissue cells themselves.
- This ground substance permits diffusion of food materials, water, gases and
wastes to and from the cells.
- Thus, connective tissue usually comprises of two components: matrix and
cells.
- The nature and proportion of these two components vary in different kinds
of connective tissues.
- Almost all connective tissues are highly vascular in nature
- In all connective tissues, except blood, the cells secrete fibres of structural
proteins called collagen or elastin.
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Connective tissue Fluid connective Skeletal connective

proper tissue tissue

1. Areolar 1. Cartilage
2. Adipose 1. Blood 2. Bone
3. White fibrous
4. Yellow elastic
5. Reticular.
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Connective tissue proper Areolar connective tissue

Origin:
- It is found below the skin, muscles
and bones.
Functions:
- The areolar tissue, also called loose
connective tissue, is essentially
connective in function.
- It fixes the skin with the muscles,
attaches the blood vessels and
nerves with the surrounding
tissues, fastens the peritoneum to
the body wall and viscera and keeps
the muscle fibres together.
Connective tissue proper Areolar connective tissue

Structure: The transparent jelly-like, sticky

matrix contains numerous fibres and cells and
abundant mucin.

Fibres: The fibres are white and yellow.

White fibres:
- unbranched, wavy and arranged in bundles.
- also called collagen fibres as they contain
proteinous substance called collagen
- These collagen fibres give tensile strength
to the tissue. Collagen fibres are formed at
the site of injury for tissue repair (healing).

Yellow fibres:
- Thin, slender and singly arranged.
- These are flexible, elastic and branched,
the branches joining with one another to
form an irregular but large network.
- They possess elastic property due to the
presence of a protein called elastin.
Connective tissue proper Areolar connective tissue

Cells: The cells in the matrix are of 4 main

kinds: Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells
and adipocytes

Fibroblasts:
- Main cells of the areolar tissue. They are
large, flat and star-shaped cells with long
and branched processes.
- They secrete the matrix and the material
of which the fibres are formed (both white
and yellow fibres).
- Fibroblasts migrate to the site of injury and
secrete more fibres to seal off the wound.

Macrophages or Histiocytes:
- The macrophages are almost as numerous
as the fibroblasts.
- They are large, long-lived and irregular
cells.
- They engulf the microbes, foreign particles
and damaged cells.
- Hence, they are phagocytic in action.
Connective tissue proper Areolar connective tissue

Mast Cells:
- The mast cells are also called mastocytes
and they are small oval cells in mammals.
- They produce heparin and histamine.
- Heparin prevents blood clotting in the
uninjured vessels.
- Histamine is useful in dilating blood
vessels, an inflammatory response to
injury or infection. Histamine is also
involved in allergic reactions. Its release
from the mast cells helps in body defence
by attracting the phagocytes to the site of
injury.

Adipocytes:
- These are useful in storage of fats.
Connective tissue proper Adipose connective tissue
Origin:
- The adipose tissue is found in the subcutaneous tissue
(under the skin), in the covering of the heart and around the
blood vessels and kidneys.
- It also forms the yellow bone marrow.

Functions:
- Adipose tissue is primarily a food reserve.
- The subcutaneous fat prevents heat loss from the body,
particularly in polar animals and also rounds off the body
contour (shape).
- It forms a shock absorbing cushion around the kidneys and
the eyeballs.
- It also produces the blood corpuscles.

Structure:
- Adipose tissue is found in association with the areolar
connective tissue.
- It is modified areolar tissue consisting of a large number of
adipocytes i.e. cells specialised for fat storage. A fat cell first
develops in it small fat droplets, which later fuse to form a
large fat globule. These globules push the cytoplasm with its
organelles to the periphery and the nucleus to one side.
Connective tissue proper Adipose connective tissue

White Adipose Tissue:

- These appear opaque due to the presence of a large number
of adipocytes.
- It is commonly seen in adults.

Brown Adipose Tissue:

- These are reddish brown in colour due to the large number
of blood vessels.
- It is mostly found in developing foetus and infants.
Connective tissue proper White fibrous tissue
White Fibrous Tissue:
- The white fibrous tissue is especially rich in white
collagen fibres.
- These are similar to but thicker than those found in
the areolar tissue.
- This tissue is very tough and inelastic. It appears as
cords or sheets.
- As cords, the white fibres run parallel to form cords
called tendons.
Tendons connect the skeletal muscles with the bones.
Tendons:
- They are specialized extensions or prolongations of
muscles.
- They are formed of bundles of collagen fibres (white
fibres).
- At one end, they are formed from the core of the
muscles and the other end is attached to a bone.
- Some of the tendons are – Achilles tendon,
hamstring tendon.
- They play an important role in various movements.

As sheets, it occurs in the pericardium of the heart, dura

mater of the brain and spinal cord, capsule of the kidney,
etc.
Connective tissue proper Yellow elastic tissue

Yellow Elastic Tissue:

- The yellow elastic tissue consists mainly of a loose
network of yellow elastic fibres.
- These elastic fibres are much thicker but similar to
those of areolar tissue.
- This tissue combines strength with great flexibility. It
also has 2 forms: cords and sheets.
- The cords formed by this tissue are called ligaments.
Ligaments serve to bind the bones together.
Ligaments:
- They are formed of bundles of yellow fibres
- They bind two different bones at the joints.
- They play a very important role in preventing
dislocation of bones and at the same time providing
flexibility to joints.

- As sheets formed by this tissue, they occur in the

walls of the blood vessels, lungs and bronchioles.
- Recovery of these organs after expansion is due to
this tissue’s presence.
Connective tissue proper Reticular Connective tissue

RETICULAR TISSUE :
- The reticular tissue consists of star-
shaped reticular cells, the protoplasmic
processes of which join to form a cellular
network.
- Reticular fibres are superimposed on
the reticular cells. They are composed of
a protein called reticulin.
- They are branched and inelastic.
- This tissue forms the supporting
framework of lymph glands, spleen and
bone marrow.
- The reticular cells are phagocytic and
form defence mechanism of the body.
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage

The cartilage is a solid, semi-rigid connective tissue. It is tough, flexible tissue which forms the
endoskeleton in large number of vertebrates.

Structure:
- The cartilage is enclosed in a sheath of white fibrous tissue
called perichondrium. It consists of blood vessels and nerve
fibres.
- The perichondrium encloses a semi-solid matrix called
chondrin.
- Towards the periphery or the inner margin of the
perichondrium, a layer of small immature cartilage cells
called chondroblasts are seen. The matrix is secreted by the
chondroblasts.
- A chondroblast lies in a fluid-filled space, the cartilage
lacuna, in the matrix.
- During growth of the cartilage, the chondroblasts divide and
the cells formed by division keep lying in groups of two or
more in the same lacuna
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage

- . In the matrix near the perichondrium, the

chondroblasts are small and young and they lie
close together. Later, they become large,
rounded, and mature and occur in groups. Here,
they are called chondrocytes.
- These chondrocytes are enclosed within lacunae
and are seen scattered in the matrix.
- Each lacuna contains 2 to 8 chondrocytes.
- The exchange of materials (nutrients) between
the chondrocytes and the matrix takes place with
simple diffusion from blood vessels present in
the perichondrium.

Depending on the nature of the matrix, cartilage is classified as:

1. Hyaline Cartilage
2. Fibrous Cartilage
3. Elastic Cartilage
4. Calcified Cartilage
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage Hyaline cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage:

It is the weakest of the four types or cartilages.

Origin: It is found at the ends of long bones,

anterior ends of ribs, nose tip, larynx, and
bronchial tree, foetal and embryonic skeleton.

Structure: It is compressible and elastic in

nature. It is surrounded by perichondrium. The
matrix, i.e. chondrin, is bluish-white and gel-like
(transparent). It contains very fine collagen
fibres and chondrocytes (2 to 8 in each lacuna).

Functions:
- It provides flexibility and supports the body.
- It helps in reducing friction.
- It also acts as a good shock absorber.
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage Fibrous cartilage

Fibrous Cartilage:
It is the strongest and the most rigid cartilage in the body.

Origin: It is found in the pubic symphysis, intervertebral

discs, etc.

Structure: It is not surrounded by the perichondrium. It

has little matrix and abundant white collagen fibres. This
combines the flexibility of the cartilage with the firmness
of the white fibres.

Functions:
- It acts as a cushion in the intervertebral discs.
- In the pubic symphysis
- It helps to support and aids fusion of different organs
of the body.
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage Elastic Cartilage

Elastic Cartilage:

Origin:
It is found in the epiglottis (lid on top of the larynx),
external ear (auricle), trachea etc.

Structure:
It is surrounded by perichondrium. The matrix (chondrin)
contains a thread-like network of elastic fibres.. It has
abundant network of yellow fibres in addition to white
fibres. Chondrocytes are few in number and are seen
encircled with elastic fibres. It is opaque and yellowish in
appearance. It readily recovers its shape after distortion.

Functions:
It gives support and maintains shape of the body.
Skeletal Tissue Cartilage Elastic Cartilage

Calcified Cartilage:
- It is formed due to deposition of various salts in the matrix.
- Due to this deposition, the cartilage becomes very hard and inelastic and
loses it flexibility.
- This condition is found in old age where the joints lose their mobility.
- It is also found in the suprascapula of the frog and the vertebrae of sharks.
 Hyaline Cartilage Fibrous Cartilage Elastic Cartilage
1) It is bluish green, 1) It is whitish, opaque in 1) Is yellowish, opaque in
translucent in appearance. appearance.
appearance.

1) Has fewer, very thin white 2) Has an abundant white 2) Has an abundant yellow
fibres in the matrix. fibres in the matrix. fibres in the matrix.

2) It is flexible. 3) It is firm. 3) It is very flexible.

3) Perichondrium is present. 4) Perichondrium is absent. 3) Perichondrium is present.

3) Occurs in sternal ribs, 4) Occurs in intervertebral 4) Occurs in pinna, external

tracheal and bronchial discs and pubic auditory meatus, nose tip
rings, laryngeal wall and symphysis. and epiglottis.
nasal septum.
Skeletal Tissue Bone

BONE :
Bone is the hardest tissue in the body.
Bone is the main constituent of the skeleton. Bone shows the presence of hard,
solid, calcified matrix called ossein.
The hardness is due to deposition of inorganic mineral salt called hydroxyl-
apatite [ Ca10 (PO4)6 (OH)2 ].
Skeletal Tissue Bone

Structure:
- Bone is enclosed in a thin layer of white fibrous connective tissue (i.e. collagen fibre) called
periosteum.
- Blood vessels and nerves pierce through the periosteum. The periosteum is internally lined by
endosteum which surrounds the marrow cavity.
- The matrix is arranged in concentric circles called lamellae.
- These lamellae contain a large number of living cells called osteoblasts or osteocytes which are
present in a fluid filled cavity called lacuna.
- Osteoblasts are active bone cells and osteocytes are inactive bone cells. Each lacuna has fine
cytoplasmic extensions called canaliculli which pass through the lamellae and makes connection
with the adjacent lacunae
Skeletal Tissue Bone

- The structural unit of bone is the Haversian

system or osteon.
- Presence of a Haversian system is the
characteristic of a mammalian bone.
- Haversian system shows a Haversian canal in
the centre.
- Haversian canal consists of blood vessels of
arteries and veins, lymph vessels and nerves as
well.
- Lacunae containing osteoblasts or osteocytes
are arranged in concentric circles around the
Haversian canal.
- The two adjacent Haversian systems are
interconnected by transverse channels, the
Volkmann’s canal.
Skeletal Tissue Bone

Functions:

- It is the supporting and protective tissue of vertebrates which protects the internal
soft and delicate tissues.
- Besides providing support, bones have a metabolic and protective role too.
- It forms the base for attachment of muscles.
- In long bones, the yellow marrow cavity helps in storage of reserve food material.
- The red marrow cavity in the long bones is useful in haemopioesis
Skeletal Tissue Bone

Spongy bone:

Origin:
It is seen in the expanded ends Compact bone:
(epiphyseal region) of long bones.
Origin: It is seen in the shaft (diaphysis) of long
Structure: bones.
The matrix or ossein is web-like
containing columns of bones called Structure: The matrix is hard, solid, and dense
trabeculae with many small spaces and without spaces in-between. It is filled with
between them. These spaces contain a a fatty tissue called the yellow marrow which
soft tissue called red bone marrow stores fat cells. It has many Haversian systems.
which is responsible for heamopiosis. It
lacks the Haversian system. Functions: The compact bone stores fat and
produces blood corpuscles in emergencies.
Functions:
The spongy bones provide considerable
strength with minimum of weight.
 MUSCULAR TISSUE
Origin:
The muscle tissue arises from the embryonic mesoderm. It makes up about 40% of a
mammals body weight.

General Structure:
- Muscular tissue is made up of thin, elongated, contractile muscle fibres; hence it is
also called contractile tissue.
- The fibres have the ability to contract due to the presence of protein filaments of
myosin and actin. Hence, they play an important role in locomotion and movement.
- Muscle fibres are thin, elongated cells with one or many nuclei.
- The plasma membrane or the outer covering of a muscle fibre is called sarcolemma.
- The cytoplasm of a muscle fibre is called sarcoplasm. The sarcoplasm is largely
occupied by longitudinal, parallel protein threads, called myofibrils, arranged along
the axis of the fibre. These protein threads contain myosin and actin.
- The muscular tissue is innervated (supplied) with nerve fibres. They are vascular and
are supplied with blood vessels which carry nutrients and take away the metabolic
waste.
Functions:

- It brings about movements of the body parts and locomotion of the organism.
- Many muscles support bones and other structures.
- Facial expressions and gestures also depend on muscles.
- Muscles are responsible for the heartbeat, for the flow of blood through the
vessels, for the passage of food through the alimentary canal, for the flow of air
through the respiratory tract, for the production of sound, and for the release of
secretions and waste products through the ducts.
- Muscles are required for taking food, passing urine and faeces, mating, delivering
a baby, feeding a young one, maintenance of equilibrium and a favourable resting
posture.
Types of Muscle Tissues:
Based on their structure, location and function,
the muscles tissue is categorized into three
types:
1. Striated or striped muscles
2. Non-striated or unstriped or smooth muscles
3. Cardiac muscles
Muscular Tissue Striated Muscle

Location:
- These are seen attached to bones in the head, trunk and limb region and so they are also called
skeletal muscles.

Structure:
- presence of cross striations in the form of light and dark bands.
- large number of peripherally placed nuclei.
- fibres are placed parallel to one another and are connected together by means of connective
tissue to form small muscle bundles.
- Muscle fibres contain a large number of myofibrils within the sarcoplasm covered with a thick
membranous sheath called sarcolemma.
- These myofibrils are marked by the presence of distinct cross-striations in the form of alternately
arranged light and dark bands. Hence they are called striated muscle fibres
- The light band is also called the “I-band” or Isotropic band. They allow the light to pass through
them and so appear light.
- A narrow dark line is seen in the light band and is called “Z-line” or Krause’s membrane.
- The dark band or “A-band” or Anisotropic band does not allow light to pass through and so it
appears dark. The dark band is interrupted with narrow light line called “H-Line” or Hensen’s
line.
- The portion between two “Z-lines” is called sarcomere.
Muscular Tissue Striated Muscle
Muscular Tissue Smooth Muscle
Origin:
- These are seen in the walls of all visceral
organs like stomach, intestine, reproductive
and urinary systems etc.
- Therefore, they are also called visceral
muscles. They are involuntary in nature, i.e.
their contractions are not controlled by our
will

Structure:
- elongated, slender and spindle shaped with
tapering ends.
- arranged in sheets or layers and are bound
by sarcolemma.
- Cross-striations are absent within the
sarcoplasm.
- centrally placed, single, large and oval
nucleus.
- Each muscle fibre contains many fine
contractile myofibrils arranged longitudinally.
- These myofibrils are innervated by the
autonomous nervous system (sympathetic
and parasympathetic).
Muscular Tissue Smooth Muscle

Functions:
- These muscle fibres are involuntary in
nature.
- They undergo prolonged but slow
contractions and relaxations.
- The frequency and intensity of contractions
varies.
- They are responsible for the peristaltic
movements which help in the passage of
food in the digestive tract
 Muscular Tissue Cardiac Muscle
Origin:
- These involuntary muscles are found only in the wall
of the heart or in the myocardium.
- It also occurs in the pulmonary veins and the
superior vena cava.
- The unique ability of the heart is to generate its own
wave of excitation that can pass directly from fibre to
fibre.

Structure:
- An individual fibre is intermediate between striated and un-striated muscle fibres.
- These are short, branched fibres with ill-defined sarcolemma.
- The fibres are uni-nucleated but as they are joined together by neighbouring cardiac muscle fibres.
Thus they appear multi-nucleated.
- The branches of different fibres join to form a network.
- The place where these fibres unite is marked by the presence of special zig-zag junctions called
intercalated discs. Intercalated discs are the unique feature of cardiac muscles. They are formed by
transverse thickenings of the sarcolemma. They show the presence of alternate light and dark
bands.
- The contraction of the cardiac muscles is initiated from a particular point in the heart itself which is
known as the pacemaker. Such a type of a heart is called myogenic (i.e. of muscular origin).
- Cardiac muscles in some animals are sometimes seen innervated (supplied) with nerve fibres which
are responsible for triggering the contraction. This type of a heart is known as neurogenic (i.e.
controlled by nervous tissue).
 NERVOUS TISSUE
Origin:
The nervous tissue arises from the ectoderm of the embryo.

Special Properties:
- The cells of the nervous tissue (i.e. neurons) provide the quickest means of
communication within the body and help the body to give response to the external
stimulus.
- Thus, the cells of the nervous tissue (i.e. neurons) are considered as impulse
generating and impulse conducting unit.
- Neurons possess two important basic properties: excitability and conductivity.
- Excitability is excitation by external stimulus by changing the action potential of
their membrane.
- Conductivity is to carry a wave of electric impulse from the dendron to axon.

General structure:
- Nervous system is made up of nervous tissue.
- Nervous tissue is composed of nerve cells or neurons and supportive cells called
neuroglia or glia cells.
Nervous Tissue Structure

Neuron is covered by neurilemma and is made up of

two distinct regions:
cyton and cytoplasmic extensions

- Cyton or cell body is also called perikaryon or

soma
- contains granular cytoplasm with large number of
network of neurofibrils, various cell organelles like
mitochondria, Golgi complex, RER (Rough
Endoplasmic Reticulum) and centrally placed
nucleus.
- The granules present in cytoplasm are conical, rich
in RNA and are involved in protein synthesis. These
are called Nissl's granules

cytoplasmic extensions seen arising from the cyton

namely:
dendrons and axon.
Nervous Tissue Structure
- Dendrites are thin, small cytoplasmic extensions seen
in the periphery of the cyton.
- These are many in number and break into numerous
fine branches which help to carry impulse towards
the cell body and are provided with few of the
neurofibrils.

- Axon is the single, longest cytoplasmic process useful

in conduction of impulse away from the cell body. I
- t is lined by axonal membrane and encloses cytoplasm
called axoplasm.
- It contains large number of mitochondria, RER and
neurofibrils but lacks Nissl's granules and Golgi
complex.
- The axon, throughout the length is wrapped by
Schwann cells. The Schwann cells secrete a lipid
covering which forms an insulating myelin sheath.
- The terminal end of the axon in both myelinated and
non-myelinated neurons shows presence of many
swollen knob-like structures called telodendrons
- They are filled with neurosecretory material
(acetylcholine and adrenaline) which acts as a
neurotransmitter
Nervous Tissue Synapse
- Stimuli reach the cyton or cell body through dendrites and
the impulses are passed on from cyton towards axons.
- The telodendron of the axon one neuron comes in close
functional apposition between dendrites of another
neuron.
- This type of functional contact between axons and
dendrites of two different neurons is called a synapse.
- The impulse from one neuron passes to another neuron
only through a synapse.
- The space enclosed between the telodendron of the first
neuron and the cyton of second neuron forms
synaptonemal complex.
- In this region the end bulb of the first neuron releases its
content i.e. neurotransmitter, on excitation.
- The impulse is passed usually in a a “one-way" direction
through this complex.
Nervous Tissue
Neuroglia cells:
- In the central nervous system, the inter-neuronal space is filled with large amount of supporting
non-nervous cells called neuroglia cells (or microglial cells or oligodendrocytes).
- These cells are more in number as compared to the neurons.
- They are capable of regeneration and division which is lacking in nerve cell.
- The glial cells are useful in supporting the neurons, providing nourishment of neurons and provide
protection to neurons by engulfing foreign particles (phagocytosis).

- Nerves consist of several bundles (fasciculi).

- Each bundle is made up of many nerve fibres.
- Each fibre in a fasciculum or bundle is surrounded
and held to the others by a thin layer of connective
tissue called endoneurium.
- Each bundle or fasciculum is enclosed by a coat of
white fibrous tissue termed perineurium.
- Each nerve consisting of all these bundles are
enveloped by another coat of white fibrous tissue
called epineurium.)
Neurons Classification

Neurons

Structure Function Medullary sheath

1. Unipolar 1. Sensory 1. Medullated

2. Bipolar 2. Motor 2. Non- medullated
3. Multipolar
Neurons Structure

Depending on the number and arrangement

of cytoplasmic extensions, the neurons are
classified as:

- Unipolar neuron has single process. It is also

called monopolar neuron.
- Bipolar neurons have two processes
originating from opposite poles of the
cyton.
- Multipolar neurons have more than two
processes.
Neurons Function

- Sensory neuron responds to external stimulus and carries impulse towards the central nervous
system.
- The axonal parts of sensory neurons terminate in the intermediate neurons which are seen in
brain and spinal cord. These are stimulated by the impulses that are received from the sensory
neuron.
- Motor neurons carry impulses from the central nervous system towards the effector organ
which brings about the response.
Neurons Medullary sheath
Myelinated or Medullated nerve fibre:
- Schwann cells secrete an insulating fatty layer around
the nerve fibre which forms myelin sheath.
- It is interrupted at regular intervals called Nodes of
Ranvier.
- A thin delicate membrane called neurilemma
surrounds the axon.
- Cranial nerves of vertebrates are of this type.
- Myelinated or Medullated nerve fibres are useful in
conducting impulse at a faster rate.
- As the impulse jumps from one Node of Ranvier to
another, it is called Saltatory conduction.
Non-myelinated or non-medullated nerve fibre:

- The axon of this nerve fibre lacks the myelin sheath as

the Schwann cells present around the nerve fibre does
not secrete the sheath.
- These are present in the autonomous nerves of
vertebrates and invertebrate nervous system.
- These nerve fibres also help in the conduction of
impulses but at much slower rate as compared to
myelinated nerve fibres.