Cells and tissues

Groups of cells are classified according to their structure and function. A group of cells together performing the same function is called tissue.

Cells in a particular tissue perform specialised functions. There are four main types of tissue:

• epithelial
• connective
• muscular
• nervous

Cells can have more than one function and therefore can be classified into more than one group.

Epithelial and connective tissue

Epithelial

• Simple – squamous/cuboidal/ciliated/columnar.
• Compound – transitional/stratified.

Connective tissue

• Areolar, adipose, fibrous, elastic, bone, lymphoid, cartilage (hyaline/elastic/fibrocartilage).
• Membranes – (mucous/synovial/serous).

Organs

• An organ is a group of tissues that perform a specific function(s).
• Organs are grouped into systems.

These systems will be researched throughout this course-

• The integumentary system- Skin, hair and nails
• The endocrine system- hormones
• The digestive system
• The cardiovascular system
• The respiratory system
• The lymphatic system
• The muscular system
• The skeletal system