Tissues of the Human

Body
Non-linear Interactive Digital Laboratory Manual
When you have finished this lab you should be
able to:
 State the general features of each of the four
major tissue types and be able to identify them
on a diagram or slide.
 Describe the general structure, function and
locations of epithelial cells. Explain how
subgroups of epithelial cells are classified,
where they are located, and what distinguishes
each. Be able to identify them on a diagram or
slide. Objectives
 Describe the general structure, function and
locations of connective tissues. Explain the for this lab
differences between subgroups of connective
tissues. Be able to identify them on a diagram
or slide.
 Identify the structure, function and locations of
three types of muscle tissue. Be able to identify
them on a diagram or slide.
 Describe the general structure, function and
location of neurons. Be able to identify them
on a diagram or slide.
  Laptop(s)
 1 microscope / 2 partners
Set-up – Each  Colored pencils

Table:  Microscope slides (please

only have 1 slide at your
table at a time)
 Lab packet for your notes
and drawings
 NO OTHER
MATERIALS:
NO FOOD, NO DRINKS,
NO BACKPACKS,
NO EARBUDS (be
sociable!)
 Instructions for Tissues Lab

Work Work with a partner!

Keep laptop open as you do the lab – it is your lab manual. You do not have
Keep to view the tissues in order – jump to the samples that are available.
However, finish each category (there are 3) before moving on.

Click on the images on each page to view websites with great images and
Click on information about each sample. There is much more information and detail
available than I could put in a lab manual.
 Draw what you see on your microscope slide at the highest power
Draw (unless otherwise indicated).

Use colored pencils – the colors of the stains used on each sample
Use
tell you important information.

Label Label your drawings. Use color.

Include Include important information about the sample in your notes.

Familiarize yourself with the cells you are studying before you try
Familiarize to find them on a slide.

Look at multiple samples of each tissue, if something seems

Look
unclear.

Ask If all else fails, ask for help!

 A Note on Longitudinal Sections (ls) vs. Cross
Sections (cs)
 Longitudinal sections: a section  Cross section: a transverse cut
cut along the long axis of a through a structure
structure

Some slides will have both

cross sections and
longitudinal sections,
please make sure you are
observing and drawing the
correct section.
 Menu

 Epithelial Tissue
 Muscle Tissue
 Nerve Tissue
 Connective Tissue
 Epithelial Tissue

Objective: List the general structural characteristics,

functions and locations of epithelia in the body and
identify the subcategories when presented with a
diagram or slide.

Menu
Location: Epithelial tissues cover Functions: Epithelial functions include
surfaces and line hollow organs. protection, absorption, filtration,
For example, epithelia cover the excretion, secretion and sometimes
external body surface (as the sensory reception. For example, the
epidermis), line its cavities, and epithelium covering the body protects
against bacterial invasion and chemical
generally mark off our “insides” damage; that lining the respiratory tract
from our outsides. Glands of the is ciliated to sweep dust and other
body almost always develop from foreign particles away from the lungs.
epithelial membranes, so they are Secretion is a specialty of the glands,
also classed as epithelia. and taste receptors are epithelial cells.

Epithelial Tissues
 The cells are attached to
Cells fit closely together Membranes always have
and support by an
to form membranes, or one exposed surface or
adhesive basement
sheets of cells. free edge.
membrane

Epithelial cells have no Epithelial cells can easily

blood supply of their own, regenerate (repair) themselves.
but depend on diffusion This is an important
characteristic because may
of nutrients from the epithelia are subjected to a good
underlying connective deal of friction and other types of
tissue. trauma.

General features of Epithelial

Tissues
 Tips for viewing Epithelial Tissue
 Look at the drawings of tissue to become familiar with the “ideal” appearance of
the cells. Look at the labeled images on the websites to get a sense of what you
are looking for.
 When you look at the actual slides, observe how the cells fit closely together to
form sheets of cells. This is necessary to form linings and coverings for organs.
 Look for the features that make this type of epithelium distinct from another
subgroup of epithelia: cell shape, layers, cilia, etc.
 Compare the actual slides with images online and in this manual.
 Record your notes and make sketches of each tissue type. Drawings should be at
the highest power that shows the features of the tissue.
 Make sure your drawings include the information that is most important, and that
you show the distinct features of the tissue type. Label your drawings, and use
color.
 Amphibian skin
Click images for more information
Alveoli
Simple Squamous Epithelium
• Single layer of flattened cells fitted closely together. Central nuclei and sparse
cytoplasm; the simplest of the epithelia
• Found in air sacs (alveoli) of lungs; lining of heart and blood vessels; lining of
body cavity;
• Allows passage of materials by diffusion and filtration in sites where protection
is not important
• PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ZOOM IN COMPLETELY TO DRAW THE
AVEOLI
 Click on Image
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
• Single layer of cube-like cells with large, spherical central nuclei
• Located on surface of ovary, in kidney tubules, and lines ducts of small glands
such as the thyroid gland, salivary (parotid) glands, liver and pancreas
• Function: secretion and absorption
Simple Columnar Epithelium
• Composed of tall, slender cells with oval nuclei
• Some cells bear cilia
• Also contains goblet cells which secrete mucus
onto surface of the tissue
• Non-ciliated type: Lines the intestine, gallbladder,
Fallopian tubes and some of the respiratory
passages
• Absorb, secrete mucus, enzymes and other Select jejunum (part of small intestine)
substances. Ciliated cells move mucus or Click “show description” for help inter
reproductive cells by beating preting the slide. Zoom in and move th
e image to see different areas
 Click here for zoom

Stratified squamous epithelium

• Thick membrane composed of several cell layers; basal cells are cuboidal or columnar;
surface cells are flattened (squamous); in the keratinized type, the suface cells are full of
keratin and dead; basal cells are active in mitosis and produce cells of the more superficial
layers.

• Location: Nonkeratinized type forms the moist linings of the esophagus, mouth and vagina;
keratinized variety forms the epidermis of the skin, a dry membrane

• Function: Protects underlying tissues in areas subjected to abrasion

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelia
• Single layer of cells of differing heights, some not reaching the free
surface; nuclei seen at different levels; may contain goblet cells and cilia.
• Ciliated cells have microscopic hair-like structures extending from the
free surface; constantly moving, the hairs sweep debris-laden mucus
toward the throat.
• Goblet cells secrete mucus.
• Line the trachea, most of the upper respiratory tract
• Secrete mucus; move mucus by beating of cilia
 Muscle Tissue

Objective: List the general structural

characteristics, functions and locations of
muscle in the body and identify its subtypes
when presented with a diagram or slide.

 Menu
 General Features of Muscle Tissue
 Muscle tissue is specialized to contract (shorten) in order to produce
movement of some body parts. Muscle cells are elongated to provide
a long axis for contraction.
 The three basic muscle types are skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and
smooth muscle. They are distinguished by presence or absence of
striations (cross-wise “stripes” formed by the arrangement of
contractile proteins), cell shape, number of nuclei, whether cells are
branched to connect with other muscle cells and whether movement is
voluntary or involuntary.
 Tips for viewing Muscle Tissue
 Look at the drawings of tissue to become familiar with the “ideal”
appearance of the cells. Look at the labeled images on the websites to get a
sense of what you are looking for.
 Notice which muscle types have striations and which do not (observable at
400X). Look for the number and positions of nuclei (stained dark). Look at
the different cell shapes and arrangements.
 Some slides have both longitudinal (ls) and cross sectional (cs) views of the
muscle. Scan the slide to find the view you want.
 Record your notes and make sketches of each tissue type. Drawings should
be done at the highest power (400X).
 Make sure your drawings include the information that is most important,
and that you show the distinct features of the tissue type.
Skeletal Muscle
• Skeletal muscle is the “meat”, or flesh, of the body
• It is attached to bones to allow movement. As it contracts, bones are pulled closer
together across a joint.
• It is under voluntary control (conscious control)
• Cells are long, cylindrical and have tow or more nuclei per cell (multinucleate)
• Skeletal muscle has obvious striations (stripes) visible at 400X or higher.
 Click on Image
Look at right side

Cardiac muscle
• Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart. As the muscle contracts, it causes the heart
to act as a pump, propelling blood into the blood vessels.
• Cardiac muscle has striations (stripes).
• Cells usually have one nucleus, occasionally 2 nuclei.
• Cardiac muscle cells are branched; they fit together at junctions called intercalated
discs that allow the muscle cells to contract in a coordinated action.
• Cardiac muscle is under involuntary control. You cannot consciously control heart rate.
Smooth Muscle
• Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the digestive tract,
uterus, urinary tract and blood vessels
• Typically, two layers run at right angles to each other so that the muscle can
squeeze or relax the cavity of an organ and also propel substances along the
passageway.
• No striations are visible
• Cells have a single nucleus
• Cells are spindle shaped.
 Nerve Tissue
 Objective 4: List the general structural characteristics, functions and
locations of nervous tissue in the body and identify neurons when
presented with a diagram or slide.

Menu
 General Features of Nervous Tissue
 There are 3 important parts in a neuron.
 Dendrites – receive information for processing
 Axons – pass the information along to other neurons going
toward the brain or effectors such as muscles and organs
 Cell body (soma) – houses the nucleus and organelles of
the neuron.
 Neurons
 Neurons are highly specialized to receive information (stimuli),
convert that information to an electrochemical signal and to conduct
impulses to all parts of the body. They are the cells that are most often
associated with nervous system functioning.
 Neurons have a cell body with a nucleus. The cytoplasm is drawn out
into long processes (dendrites receive; axons transmit) – which allows
a single neuron to conduct an impulse over relatively long distances.
 Tips for viewing Neurons
 Look at the drawings of tissue to become familiar with the
“ideal” appearance of the cells. Look at the labeled images on
the websites to get a sense of what you are looking for.
 Try adjusting the light on the slide to get a better view of the cell
extensions.
 Record your notes and make sketches of each tissue type.
Drawings should be done at the highest power (400X) ; you may
make drawings from the online images if you prefer. Make sure
your drawings include the information that is most important,
and that you show the distinct features of the tissue type. Label
the cell body and dendrites/axons.
Description:
• Location: Brain, spinal cord and nerves
• Function: Transmit electrical signals from sensory receptions and to effectors
(muscle and glands) which control their activity.
Motor End Plate
Motor neurons stimulate muscles cells, causing them to contract. Look at the
images linked above, then at the prepared slides to see how the neuron “grabs”
onto the surface of the muscle cell. Roll your mouse over the image to see
labels for the axons of the neurons and the muscle cell. This image gives you a
very nice view of both the neuron and muscle cell.
 Connective Tissue
 Objective: List the general structural characteristics, functions and
locations of connective tissues in the body and identify its
subcategories when presented with a diagram or slide.

Menu
 General Features of Connective Tissue
 Connective tissue is found in all parts of the body. It is the most
abundant and widely distributed of the tissue types.

 The connective tissues perform a variety of functions, but they

primarily protect, support and bind together other tissues of the body.
For example, bones are composed of connective tissue (bone or
osseous tissue), and they protect and support other body tissues and
organs. Ligaments and tendons (dense regular CT) bind the bones
together or bind skeletal muscles to bones. Connective tissue also
serves a vital function in the repair of all body tissues: many wounds
are repaired by CT in the form of scar tissue.

Composition of CT
Connective tissues are composed of many types of cells embedded in
nonliving material (called matrix or extracellular matrix). It is the presence
of cells in nonliving extracellular matrix that distinguishes CT from other
tissues.
 The matrix is produced by the living cells, and is primarily responsible for
the strength associated with CT, but its firmness and relative amount vary.
 The matrix has two components: ground substance and fibers
 The ground substance is made of proteins and large polysaccharide
molecules. Depending on its makeup, the ground substance may be liquid
(as in blood plasma), gel-like (as in loose CT) or very hard (bone). When
the matrix is firm, as in cartilage and bone, the CT cells reside in cavities
in the matrix called lacunae.
 The fibers provide support to the structure. Fibers include: collagen fibers
(white), elastic fibers (yellow) and reticular fibers (fine collagen fibers).
 Tips for viewing Connective Tissue
 Look at the drawings of tissue to become familiar with the “ideal”
appearance of the cells. Look at the labeled images on the websites to
get a sense of what you are looking for.
 Distinguish between the living cells and matrix, and pay particular
attention to the appearance of the matrix.
 Look for the features that make each subtype distinctive.
 Record your notes and make sketches of each tissue type. Drawings
should be at the highest power that shows the features of the tissue.
 Make sure your drawings include the information that is most
important, and that you show the distinct features of the tissue type.
Areolar (Loose) CT
• Notice – there is a great deal of empty space; thin, coiled elastic fibers;
collagen fibers
• Gel-like matrix with all three fiber types; cells include fibroblasts (fiber-
forming cells) phagocytes, some white blood cells and others
• Widely distributed under epithelia of body (e.g., forms lamina propria of
mucous membranes); packages organs; surrounds capillaries
• Functions : wraps and cushions organs; its phagocytes engulf bacteria; plays
important role in inflammation; holds and conveys tissue fluid
Adipose Tissue
• Matrix is gel-like, but very sparse.
• Closely packed adipocytes (fat cells)
• Nucleus pushed to the side by large fat droplet
• Located under skin, around kidneys and eyeballs; within abdomen, in
breasts
• Provides reserve food fuel, insulates against heat loss, supports and
protects organs
Hyaline cartilage
• Firm matrix; collagen fibers form an imperceptible network; chondroblasts
(cartilage-forming cells) produce the matrix and when mature chondrocytes
lie in lacunae
• Forms most of the embryonic skeleton; covers the ends of long bones in joint
cavities; forms costal cartilages of the ribs; cartilages of the nose, trachea and
larynx
• Supports and reinforces; has cushioning properties; resists compression
Dense CT
• Primarily parallel collagen fibers; a few elastin fibers; major cell type
is the fibroblast
• Located in tendons, most ligaments, aponeuroses
• Attaches muscle to bones or to muscles; attaches bones to bones;
withstands great tensile stress when pulling force is applied in one
direction
Bone
• Hard, calcified matrix containing many collagen fibers
• Osteocytes lie in lacunae
• Many blood vessels provide nutrients to the tissue
• Found in bones
• Bone supports and protects (by enclosing); provides levers for muscles to pull on;
stores calcium and other minerals and fat; marrow inside bones is the site for blood
cell formation.
Blood
• Erythrocytes (red blood cells) Most numerous cells, small, contain hemoglobin
to carry oxygen throughout the body; no nucleus
• Leukocytes (white blood cells) – nucleus stains dark purple/blue; most
common cells are lymphocytes (large nucleus fills the cell) and neutrophils
(irregular shaped nucleus). White blood cells are involved in protecting the
body from bacteria and other invaders.
• Small, dark blue sub-cellular particles are platelets, involved in clot formation