VANDERS HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY MECHANISM
OF BODY FUNCTION REVISION HANDBOOK
2026 CELLULAR AND SYSTEM LEVEL
PHYSIOLOGY
◉ What is epithelial tissue made of? Answer: May form from any
type of epithelial cell
◉ How can epithelia be arranged? Answer: 1. single-cell thick tissue
aka simple epithelium
2. Numerous layers of cells aka stratified epithelium
◉ The type of epithelium that forms in a given region of the body
reflects what about the epithelium? Answer: It reflects the function
of that particular epithelium
Ex. Epithelium that lines inner surface of airway consists of ciliated
epithelial cells which propel mucus up the trachea into the mouth to
prevent airborne particles and pollutants from reaching the lung
◉ Where are epithelia located? Answer: Located at the surfaces that
cover the body or individual organs and line the inner surfaces of
tubular and hollow structures within body such as trachea
,◉ What do epithelial cells rest on? Answer: Rest on basement
membrane which primarily anchors the tissue
1. Side of cell anchored to basement membrane is basolateral side
2. The opposite side, which typically faces the interior (called
lumen) of structure is called apical side
◉ What is a defining feature of many epithelia? Answer: 2 sides of all
epithelial cells in tissue may perform different physiological
functions
◉ What are tight junctions? Answer: 1. Extracellular membranes
that help cells hold together between the apical and basolateral
membranes
2. Function as selective barriers regulating exchange of molecules
◉ What are connective-tissue cells? Answer: Connect, anchor, and
support structures of bodies
◉ What is loose connective tissue? Answer: Connective tissue cells
that are found in the loose meshwork of cells and fibers underlying
most epithelial layers
◉ What is dense connective tissue? Answer: Includes the tough,
rigid tissue that makes up tendons and ligaments
, ◉ Is blood a connective tissue? Answer: Yes, blood is a connective
tissue because the cells in blood have the same embryonic origin as
other connective tissues and blood connects various organs and
tissues of body through delivery of nutrients, removal of wastes, and
transport of chemical signals from one part of the body to another
◉ What are other types of connective tissue besides loose, dense
connective tissue and blood? Answer: Bone, cartilage, and adipose
(fat-storing) tissue
◉ What is the extracellular matrix (ECM)? Answer: It is a mixture
formed by connective tissues of proteins; polysaccharides) chains of
sugar molecules; minerals (dependent on given tissue)
◉ What is the function of the ECM? Answer: 1. Provides a scaffold
for cellular attachments
2. Transmits information in the form of chemical messengers to cells
to help regulate their activity migration, growth, and differentiation
◉ What are some proteins of ECM known as? Answer: Fibers,
insoluble proteins including ropelike collagen fibers and
rubberband-like elastin fibers
OF BODY FUNCTION REVISION HANDBOOK
2026 CELLULAR AND SYSTEM LEVEL
PHYSIOLOGY
◉ What is epithelial tissue made of? Answer: May form from any
type of epithelial cell
◉ How can epithelia be arranged? Answer: 1. single-cell thick tissue
aka simple epithelium
2. Numerous layers of cells aka stratified epithelium
◉ The type of epithelium that forms in a given region of the body
reflects what about the epithelium? Answer: It reflects the function
of that particular epithelium
Ex. Epithelium that lines inner surface of airway consists of ciliated
epithelial cells which propel mucus up the trachea into the mouth to
prevent airborne particles and pollutants from reaching the lung
◉ Where are epithelia located? Answer: Located at the surfaces that
cover the body or individual organs and line the inner surfaces of
tubular and hollow structures within body such as trachea
,◉ What do epithelial cells rest on? Answer: Rest on basement
membrane which primarily anchors the tissue
1. Side of cell anchored to basement membrane is basolateral side
2. The opposite side, which typically faces the interior (called
lumen) of structure is called apical side
◉ What is a defining feature of many epithelia? Answer: 2 sides of all
epithelial cells in tissue may perform different physiological
functions
◉ What are tight junctions? Answer: 1. Extracellular membranes
that help cells hold together between the apical and basolateral
membranes
2. Function as selective barriers regulating exchange of molecules
◉ What are connective-tissue cells? Answer: Connect, anchor, and
support structures of bodies
◉ What is loose connective tissue? Answer: Connective tissue cells
that are found in the loose meshwork of cells and fibers underlying
most epithelial layers
◉ What is dense connective tissue? Answer: Includes the tough,
rigid tissue that makes up tendons and ligaments
, ◉ Is blood a connective tissue? Answer: Yes, blood is a connective
tissue because the cells in blood have the same embryonic origin as
other connective tissues and blood connects various organs and
tissues of body through delivery of nutrients, removal of wastes, and
transport of chemical signals from one part of the body to another
◉ What are other types of connective tissue besides loose, dense
connective tissue and blood? Answer: Bone, cartilage, and adipose
(fat-storing) tissue
◉ What is the extracellular matrix (ECM)? Answer: It is a mixture
formed by connective tissues of proteins; polysaccharides) chains of
sugar molecules; minerals (dependent on given tissue)
◉ What is the function of the ECM? Answer: 1. Provides a scaffold
for cellular attachments
2. Transmits information in the form of chemical messengers to cells
to help regulate their activity migration, growth, and differentiation
◉ What are some proteins of ECM known as? Answer: Fibers,
insoluble proteins including ropelike collagen fibers and
rubberband-like elastin fibers
