Body Tissues Human Body Systems © 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Tissue Basics Tissues are groups of cells that are similar in structure and that work together to perform a specific function. There are four main tissue types: Epithelium Connective tissue Muscle Nervous tissue

Epithelium Epithelium, or epithelial tissue, forms the linings, coverings, and glandular tissue of the body. One type of epithelium forms the outer layer of the skin Another type of epithelium lines the air sacs of the lungs Cells in epithelium are packed tightly together to form continuous sheets

Connective Tissue Connective tissue protects, supports, and binds together other body tissues. Connective tissue is made up of different types of cells with varying amounts of a nonliving substance around the cells, called the matrix. Examples of connective tissue include: Bone Cartilage Adipose tissue (fat) Blood

Muscle Tissue Muscle tissue is specialized to contract and cause movement. There are three main types of muscle tissue: Skeletal muscle Cardiac muscle Smooth muscle Can you guess the location and function of each muscle type?

Nervous Tissue Nervous tissue is composed of specialized cells called neurons that receive and send electrical signals in the body. Nervous tissue responds to stimuli and transmits impulses and together with supporting cells, makes up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.