Tissue, in physiology, a level of organization in multicellular organisms; it consists of a group of structurally and functionally similar cells and their intercellular material. By definition, tissues are absent from unicellular organisms. Learn more about tissues in this article.
: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue
A tissue is a collection of similar cells that work together to perform a particular function. These organized groups of cells are fundamental to the structure and operation of multicellular organisms.
Learn about tissue types and functions in humans, other animals, and plants. Get examples, quizzes, and a PDF study guide.
One method of classifying connective tissues is to divide them into three types: fibrous connective tissue, skeletal connective tissue, and fluid connective tissue.
Connective tissue is the most abundant, mainly because it applies to so many tissue types. It includes things like skin (except for the outermost layer, which is epithelial tissue) and bones.
The term tissue is used to describe a group of cells found together in the body. The cells within a tissue share a common embryonic origin. Microscopic observation reveals that the cells in a tissue share morphological features and are arranged in an orderly pattern that achieves the tissue’s functions.
Loose fibrous connective tissue: composed of a loose and disorganized weave of collagen and elastin fibres, creating a tissue that is thin and flexible, yet still tough.
The four types of tissues are exemplified in nervous tissue, stratified squamous epithelial tissue, cardiac muscle tissue, and connective tissue in the small intestine.