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Histology - study of tissues
What is the goal of histology - To learn microanatomy of cells, tissues and organs to
correlate structure and function
Physiology - The study of normal body function based on the integration of structure
and function
Cells - Basic structural and function units of tissues that make up organ systems
Ways of studying tissue - Microscopy and appearance of the tissue
Microscopy - Aids in visualizing the structural features and arrangement of the cells and
tissues
Appearance of the Tissue - Useful in distinguishing between normal and abnormal
tissue and diagnosing disease
Tissues - Distinctly organized aggregation of cells (& their products aka ECM) that are
structurally related, perform specific and interrelated functions, and have the ability to
communicate
4 basic types of tissues - epithelium, connective, muscle, nervous
Morphology - shape
Epithelium basic characteristics - 1 or more layers of cells connected to each other that
cover body surfaces, lines body cavities, tubes, ducts, and forms glands
Epithelium basic function - Protect the internal environment of body and regulates the
exchange of materials between the internal and external environment. Morphology and
number of layers determines function
Epithelium specific functions - protective barrier, absorption, secretion and
transport/exchange
Connective Tissue basic characteristics - Composed of cells and extracellular fibers
embedded in a protein rich gel-like matrix (aka ECM)
, CT basic function - Underlies and supports, connects and protects the other basic
tissues structurally and functionally
Types of CT - CT proper (loose & dense), Cartilage, bone, blood, and adipose
Types of CT Proper - Loose (flexibility and support) and dense (flexibility and strength)
Muscle Tissue basic characteristics - Contractile cells responsible for movement
Muscle Tissues composition - composed of intracellular contractile proteins (actin and
myosin)
Types of Muscle Tissues - Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac
Skeletal Muscles - Attach to bone
Smooth muscles - Form walls of hollow organs and blood vessels
Cardiac muscles - Compose the heart
Nervous Tissue composition - Neurons and supporting neurological cells
Nervous Tissue basic function - transmit, receive, process, integrate and conduct
electrical impulses that carry information
Workflow of Studying Tissue - Fixing, Embedding, Cutting, Staining, and Microscopy
Fixation goal - preserve tissue structure and take a "snapshot" of tissue
Fixation functions - Termination of cell metabolism
Prevent Enzymatic Degradation
Kill Pathogens
Hardens Tissue
Preserves molecular composition
Embedding goal - Embed tissue in a solid media to facilitate sectioning
Embedding Steps - Dehydration via alcohol in steps
clearing solution removes alcohol
Placed in melted paraffin
Paraffin cools
Sectioning goal - prepare tissue for staining
Sectioning instrument - Microtome