Chapter Four

Cell and Tissue Structure

If viewing this in PowerPoint, use the icon to run

the show (bottom left of screen).

Mac users go to “Slide Show > View Show” in menu bar

Click on the Audio icon: when it appears on the

left of the slide to hear the narration.

From “File > Print” in the menu bar, choose “notes

pages”, “slides 3 per page” or “outline view” for

taking notes as you listen and watch the

presentation.

Start your own notebook with a 3 ring binder, for later study!

ALAT Presentations Study Tips

Cell and Tissue Structure

Technicians must understand normal behavior and functioning of animals to care for them and help researchers.

Knowledge of normal anatomy and physiology will help technicians recognize abnormalities and report observed changes and become more valuable to the research team.

Anatomy and Physiology

Gross anatomy = structures visible to the eye

Histology = microscopic view of tissue

Physiology = function of parts of an organism

Functions to survive, grow & reproduce

Vertebrates have a spine made of bone

Anatomy & physiology reveals

many species similarities

Species comparisons help

develop animal models for

the study of diseases.

Body Organization

Levels of organization: cellular, tissue & organ

Tissues composed of cells & intercellular material

Organs are composed of several types of tissue

Cells have three basic components: cell membrane - surrounds, permits nutrients and

gases to enter the cell, wastes to leave

nucleus - contains DNA that directs cell function

cytoplasm - contains nutrients & organelles Some cellular processes are active and require energy, i.e.

the breakdown of nutrients into their individual components

Other processes are passive & are result of concentration differences, i.e. passage of water across cell membrane

(Image) Types of Cells

Tissue

Four types of tissue and their functions are:Connective tissue: binds together or supports cells,

tissues and organs, i.e. bones, tendons and subcutaneous tissues.

Muscle = contractile tissue: shortens upon stimulation, to function in movement, posture and heat production.

Nerve tissue: specialized tissue that conducts impulses throughout the body. The brain, spinal cord are composed of nerve tissue.

Epithelial tissue: covers all body surfaces, lines all cavities and forms glands. It protects against the environment outside the tissue. Skin and the lining of the mouth are epithelial tissues.

Organs and Organ Systems

Organs make up systems that perform specific bodily functions.

Systems can not function alone and are dependant on others, i.e. the heart.

The heart is part of the circulatory system, pumps blood and composed of muscle, connective, nerve and epithelial tissues. The nervous system controls the heart,

using information from all the body. Without the other parts of the circulatory

system, heart would be unable to function.

The body consists of 11 major organ systems.

(Image) Imaging of Organs and Heart beat

Describing Anatomical Features

Terms may refer to the bodycranial = the head

Terms may refer to specific structures oral = the mouth

Structures have names related to other structures radial artery is named for its proximity to the radius.

Parts of the body have regional names abdominal muscles

General Anatomical Organization

Bilaterally symmetricalstructures are the same on each side

body is divided evenly into right and left halves

Body arranged in 3 divisionsThe head

contains sense organs and brain

protected by the skull

connects to the trunk by the neck

The trunk - thoracic cavity &

abdominal cavity

The appendages - limbs & tail

Additional Reading

Frandson, R.D. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Fourth Edition. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, PA. 1992.