What is a Tissue

What is a Tissue?

A tissue is a collective group of cells having a similar structure functioning together as a unit. The intercellular matrix is a non-living material that fills the spaces between cells. 

This material may be limited in some tissues and abundant in others. A tissue is made to be distinctive and unique with the help of salts and fibres provided by the intercellular matrix. 

Types of Tissues in the Body

• Epithelial
• Connective 
• Muscle 
• Nervous

Every tissue is designed to carry out a special function. The word tissue is a French word that means “to weave”. 

Further Categorisation of Body Tissues

• Epithelial- simple epithelium, simple cuboidal, simple columnar, epithelium
• Connective- bone, blood, cartilage
• Muscle- skeletal, smooth muscle tissue, and cardiac
• Nervous- neuroglia and neurons

Plant Tissues

• Dermal tissues- stomata, trichomes, epidermal cells
• Ground tissues- parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma
• Vascular tissues- vessel elements, companion cells, sieve tubes and tracheids

The tissues form an integral part of human anatomy. Human organs are just a combination of several tissues. 

Tissues are not present in unicellular organisms. In complex organisms such as plants and animals, tissues are distinctly formed to give a regulated response to an external environment. 

The study of tissues is termed histology. Plant histology is studied as a part of plant anatomy and physiology. 

The paraffin block, the historical stain and the optimal microscope are some of the tools that are used to study tissues. The use of frozen tissue sections, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence have progressed the study of tissues. 

Medical diagnosis and prognosis have also seen a considerable level of development with the careful examination of health and disease using the study of tissues. 

Tissues are made of different types of cells for carrying out specific functions in the body. A group of tissues that carry out a specific function in a body come together to form an organ.