Review: Cells, Tissues, and Membranes

Here is what we have learned from Cells, Tissues, and Membranes:

• Basically, a cell consists of three parts: the cell membrane, the nucleus, and between the two, the cytoplasm.
• The cell nucleus contains genetic material and regulates activities of the cell. It determines how the cell will function, as well as the basic structure of that cell.
• All of the functions for cell expansion, growth and replication are carried out in the cytoplasm of a cell.
• Tissue is a group of cells that have similar structure and that function together as a unit. Primary types of body tissues include epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.
• Epithelial tissues form the covering of all body surfaces, line body cavities and hollow organs, and are the major tissue in glands.
• Connective tissues bind structures together, form a framework and support for organs and the body as a whole, store fat, transport substances, protect against disease, and help repair tissue damage.
• Muscle tissue is composed of cells that have the special ability to shorten or contract in order to produce movement of body parts.
• Nervous tissue is responsible for coordinating and controlling many body activities.
• Body membranes are thin sheets of tissue that cover the body, line body cavities, and cover organs within the cavities in hollow organs.
• Two main categories of body membranes are epithelial and connective tissue membranes. Sub-categories include mucous membranes, serous membranes, synovial membranes, and meninges.