Connective Tissue Connective tissue is found everywhere in the body. Each epithelium is given two names. First name indicates the number of cell layers present, and the second describes the shape of its cells. There could be; simple epithelia (single cell layer) typically found where absorption and filtration occur, stratified epithelia (two or more cell layers stacked on top of one another) commonly found in high-abrasion areas where protection is important like the skin surface and the lining of the mouth. Epithelial cells have six irregular sides that looks like a honeycomb. There are three common shapes of epithelial cells; squamous cells are flattened and scalelike their nucleus are flattened disc, cuboidal cells are boxlike approximately as tall as they are wide with a nucleus that is spherical, and columnar cells are tall and column shaped their nucleus is elongated from top to bottom and located towards the cell base. Simple Squamous Epithelium Function: allows passage of materials by diffusion and filtration in sites where protection is not important Location: air sacs of lungs. lining of heart, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels Two simple squamous epithelia in the body have special names that reflect their location. Endothelium "inner covering" and the Mesothelium "middle covering." Simple Cuboidal Epithelium Function: secretion and absorption Location: kidney tubules, ducts and secretory portions of small glands, ovary surface Simple Columnar Epithelium Function: absorption, secretion of mucus, enzymes, and other substances Location: nonciliated type lines most of the digestive track (stomach to anal canal), gallbladder, and some regions of the uterus Stratified Squamous Epithelium Function: protects underlying tissue in areas subjected to abrasion Location: epidermis of the skin, lining of the esophagus, mouth, and vagina. Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium Location: quite rare in the body, mostly found in the ducts of some of the larger glands like the sweat and mammary glands with typically two layers of cuboidal cells Stratified Columnar Epithelium Location: rare in the body but small amounts found in the pharynx, the male urethra, and the lining some glandular ducts Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium Function: secretion, particularly of mucus, propulsion of mucus by ciliary action. Location: nonciliated type in males sperm-carrying ducts and ducts of large glands, lines the trachea, and most of the upper respiratory tract. The cell nuclei lie at different levels above the basement membrane, but only the tallest reach the free surface of the epithelium. Transitional Epithelium Function: stretches readily and permits distension of urinary organ by contained urine. Location: lines the ureters, bladder, and part of the urethra The ability of transitional cells to change their shape or undergo "transitions" allows a greater volume of urine to flow through. Muscle Tissue Muscle tissues are highly cellular, well-vascularized tissues that are responsible for most types of body movement. Skeletal Muscle Function: voluntary movement, locomotion, manipulation of the environment, facial expression, voluntary control. Location: in skeletal muscles attached to bones or occasionally to skin Cardiac Muscle Function: as it contracts, it propels blood into the circulation, involuntary control Location: the walls of the heart Smooth Muscle Function: propels substances or objects (foodstuffs, urine, a baby) along internal passageways, involuntary control Location: mostly in the walls of hollow organs Nervous Tissue Function: transmit electrical signals form sensory receptors and to effectors (muscles and glands) with control their activity Location: brain, spinal cord, and nerves The main component of the nervous system the brain, spinal cord, and nerves which regulates and controls body functions. Containing two major cell types.

Breathe life into your understanding with our guide on the respiratory system anatomy and physiology. Nursing students, immerse yourself in the intricate dance of inhalation and exhalation that fuels every living moment.

Unlock the mysteries of our skin and its allies with the integumentary system guide; for nursing students eager to grasp the anatomy and physiology of our first line of defense.

As we continue our journey through Apologia Anatomy & Physiology, I have found lots of cool projects to keep us busy and to reinforce the lessons we are learning. From my review of Supercharged Science in Spring of 2013, I remembered seeing a lesson with this project, and thought it would align perfectly with the unit that was studying all the muscles and tendons. From this project, we learned that hands function because of the way the tendons are aligned. We found the tendon in our wrist that, when pressed, causes the fingers to twitch and curl. It is pretty amazing to study the handiwork of God and realize all that a hand is capable of performing. We went to the Supercharged Science website and watched the lesson on how to build the robotic hand: Then we gathered our supplies: Supplies include: cardboard scissors utility knife bendable straws string or yarn thick rubber bands hot glue gun and glue sticks pencil We traced an adult sized hand on cardboard and carefully cut it out: We glued the bendable straws on each finger, so that the bendy part was on the hand and the long part of the straw was on the fingers. We trimmed the edges of the straw to align with the edge of the fingers. We took our pencil and marked on the fingers of the cardboard hand the location of the joints and knuckles from the real-life hand. Then we took the utility knife and carefully scored the back side of the hand on those lines, so that the fingers would curl and bend properly. Using our pencil marks as a guide, we carefully sliced a section of the straw off (at 45 degree angles) where the joints are located. This helps the 'fingers' to bend properly as well. When we are done with all the joint cuts, it looks like this: We took string and ran it through each straw, leaving a long tail out both the top and bottom of the straw. We cut the rubber bands so that they would be a long strip instead of a circle. At the top of each finger, we tied the string and rubber band ends together in a small knot. Turning the hand over, and with fingers straightened out and laid flat, we hot glued the loose ends of the rubber band down to the back of the hand. The glue should only be right at the end of the rubber band. The rest of it needs to stay loose so that it can freely move and guide the fingers. The rubber bands help the fingers to return to their natural state after being curled up.  Once the hand was completed, we had lots of opportunity to 'play' with it and see how the tendons in a hand function, by pulling downward on the strings.  One of the favorite things to do with the hand was to make sign language letters and spell out words and phrases....or to say "I love you"! This was a great project and we were very happy with the outcome. Everyone who has seen it is fascinated by it, and it clearly demonstrates the movements of a hand. I highly recommend this project!  Copyright 2012-2013 - "Be The One" - www.aclassofone.blogspot.com All rights are reserved. No text, photos, or content may be reproduced without direct permission from the author. This post is linked with Apologia's Homeschool Science Share & Tell

Last week Kenny, Olivia and I completed our last anatomy and physiology lessons on the cardiovascular system.

Thanks to new virtual anatomy resources we can turn our computers and tablets into science labs and explore the world of anatomy and physiology.

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Have you been on the hunt for effective strategies to teaching high school anatomy? Keep reading for 3 strategies to teaching high school...

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This post is filled with over 30 free anatomy and human body resources for all ages. Tons of free printables, unit studies and even some videos and games!

If you’re like me, you dread the first week back to school activities for science because it somewhat resembles a zoo...

The main difference between endochondral ossification and intramembranous ossification is that the endochondral ossification is the method of forming a bone through a cartilage intermediate while the intramembranous ossification directly forms the bone on the mesenchyme.

The meninges is a protective covering that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Problems that impact this membrane can result in serious conditions.

The knee is made up of the kneecap (patella), cartilage, meniscus and ligaments - the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).