Understanding Blood, Cartilage, Muscle, and Nervous Tissue

Blood Tissue

Blood is a tissue fluid that flows through the veins and arteries of all vertebrates. Its characteristic red color is due to the presence of the pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Blood has a solid phase and a liquid phase, represented by the plasma. Its main function is the logistics of distribution and systematic integration.

Blood consists of formed elements and blood plasma.

Platelets

Platelets are small cell fragments (2-3 um in diameter), oval and without nuclei. They are produced in the bone marrow from the fragmentation of the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes. Their normal quantitative value is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per mm3.

They serve to plug injuries that could affect blood vessels. Platelets contribute to clot formation and are responsible for vascular wound closure. A drop of blood contains about 250,000 platelets.

Blood Plasma

Blood plasma is the fluid portion of blood in which the formed elements are involved. It is salty, yellowish, translucent, and more dense than water. The total plasma volume is considered to be 40-50 mL / kg.

Blood plasma is essentially an aqueous solution of complex composition containing 91% water and 8% proteins, with traces of other materials.

Cartilage Tissue

Cartilage consists of chondrogenic cells, collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and extracellular matrix.

Types of Cartilage

• Hyaline Cartilage: The body's most abundant cartilage, it has a bluish-white appearance and is located in the nasal bones.
• Fibrous Cartilage: Contains collagen fibers and is located in the intervertebral discs, meniscus, etc.
• Elastic Cartilage: Yellow in color and has greater elasticity and flexibility than other types of cartilage.

Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissue is composed of muscle fibers or myocytes. It consists of two basic elements: muscle fibers and the capillary network. Its main function is movement.

Types of Muscle Tissue

• Voluntary or Striated Skeletal Muscle: Inserted into bone. It consists of long, cylindrical, multinucleated cells that contract to facilitate the movement of the body and its parts.
• Striated Involuntary Muscle: Forms on the walls of the heart and is in the walls of blood vessels. These have unique and central nuclei.
• Smooth Involuntary Muscle: Found on the walls of hollow viscera and most blood vessels. Their cells are fusiform and show no striations.

Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue forms the organs of the nervous system and consists of neurons.

Neurons

Neurons come in various forms (spheres, pyramids, etc.) and have many extensions. They specialize in the transmission of nerve impulses. There are three recognized types of neurons:

• Sensory Neurons: Receive the nerve impulse originating in the receptor cells.
• Motor Neurons: Transmit the impulse received to the effector organ.
• Connecting Neurons: Link the activity of sensory and motor neurons.