SJB Cells and Tissues Revised 3/17/2016
Page 1 of 3
Name: _______________________________________ Per. _____ Date: _________________
Learning Target: Investigating Cells and Tissues Activity
I Can… Describe how specialized cells work together to form tissues that perform basic life
functions for multicellular organisms.
I Will…




View a Discovery Education video segment on cells and tissues
View various cell and tissue samples under the microscope
Infer how cell structure influences the function of the tissue the cells form
Work cooperatively to describe the functions of the four basic types of tissues in the
human body.
Learning Check √: Completion of Investigating Cells and Tissues Activity Packet
In the Discovery Education video segment “Specialized Cells and Tissues” [4:26 min.], you saw
examples of skin cells and tissues, muscle tissues, nervous tissue, and blood cells; in this activity
you will view pictures of microscopic slides of these cells and tissues. There is no need to start
with Slide 1 since all the specimens will eventually be viewed. Copies of the four slides have
been placed at each table. Work through the slides until you have viewed all the specimens.
Slide 1: Motor Neuron. Nervous tissue is one of the four basic types of tissue in the human
body.
What is the function of nervous tissue? ___________________________________________
How does the structure of the neuron relate to its function? ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Where do you think nervous tissue is located in the body? Give at least three locations:
______________________
______________________
Draw the motor neuron you viewed:
______________________
SJB Cells and Tissues Revised 3/17/2016
Page 2 of 3
Slide 2: Mammal Blood Smear. Blood cells working together are classified as a connective
tissue. There are many different types of blood cells. There are some that can be categorized as
red blood cells that carry oxygen and some as the white blood cells that protect the body.
Red blood cells are small biconcave disks without a nucleus (they lose it as they mature and
migrate out of the bone marrow).
White blood cells are larger, come in different types and have a blue nucleus.
Look at the picture of a microscopic human blood smear.
Which type are there more of; red or white blood cells? ________________________________
Why do you think there are so many of one category of blood cell and much fewer of the other
type? Hint: Think about the function.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Why do you think blood is considered a connective tissue? _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name at least three other examples of connective tissues in the body:
(Refer to your text or notes)
___________________
_________________
_________________
Slide 3: Human Skin. Skin is an epithelial tissue that along with other accessory structures
forms the largest organ in our body.
The cells that make up skin are several layers deep. Why does skin need so many layers of cells?
_____________________________________________________________________________
What is the function of epithelial tissues? ___________________________________________
There is an old saying “…only skin deep…” what do you think that saying means?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SJB Cells and Tissues Revised 3/17/2016
Page 3 of 3
Slide 4: Cardiac and Striated Muscle. Be sure to view both types of muscle on the slide.
What is the function of muscular tissue? ____________________________________________
Where is cardiac muscle found in the body? _________________________________________
Striated muscle is sometimes called “skeletal” muscle. Where is skeletal muscle found in the
body?
______________________________________________________________________________
Do you notice any structural differences between cardiac and striated/skeletal muscle? Identify
the differences and explain their significance in terms of relating structure to function.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion question:
All the cells making up the tissues that you viewed today all started from a single zygote cell,
then a small mass of identical cells, and then a blastocyst. How did these cells change so much?
Explain the processes that took place. (Hint: I am determined you will answer this correctly,
even if your answer is a little different than others.)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EXTRA CREDIT: Look at the Slide 5 the picture taken from tissue of the stomach.
Explain (fully) why the stomach is classified as an organ:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________