Tissue Types Flashcards
7 cards from real Histology Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Tissue Types flashcards as text
A biopsy shows cells arranged in a single layer where all nuclei appear at different heights but all cells contact the basement membrane. This is:
Answer: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Pseudostratified epithelium has nuclei at varying levels giving a false stratified appearance, but every cell contacts the basement membrane.
Which connective tissue cell is responsible for synthesizing the extracellular matrix components including collagen and ground substance?
Answer: Fibroblast
Fibroblasts are the primary cells of connective tissue proper, responsible for synthesizing collagen fibers and ground substance.
Smooth muscle differs from skeletal muscle in that smooth muscle:
Answer: Lacks sarcomeres and is involuntary
Smooth muscle lacks the organized sarcomere structure of striated muscle, making it non-striated and under involuntary control.
In nervous tissue, what is the role of astrocytes?
Answer: Form the blood-brain barrier and provide metabolic support to neurons
Astrocytes support neuronal function by maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating ion balance, and providing metabolic support.
Which statement about elastic cartilage is TRUE?
Answer: It contains abundant elastic fibers giving flexibility
Elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers in addition to collagen, providing flexibility in structures like the epiglottis and auricle.
The basement membrane underlying epithelia is composed mainly of which two structures?
Answer: Basal lamina and reticular lamina
The basement membrane consists of the basal lamina (secreted by epithelial cells) and the reticular lamina (secreted by connective tissue fibroblasts).
Mast cells in connective tissue are functionally important because they:
Answer: Store and release histamine and heparin during immune responses
Mast cells contain granules with histamine and heparin, which are released during allergic reactions and inflammation.