Anatomy and Physiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Anatomy and Physiology - Essay Example It also provides the protective outer layer of the body itself (the skin), which also serves as our first line of defense (immune system) against microbes. Connective tissue is quite self explanatory as it does just that, connects and supports tissue with other tissue. For example, our ligaments and tendons are essential in connecting bones and joints for functional movement. There is more than one type of muscle tissue. The term muscle tissue encompasses cardiac muscle tissue, smooth muscle tissue and skeletal muscle tissue. Cardiac muscle tissue makes up the heart which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to all of our tissue and organs. Skeletal muscle tissue is composed of actin - myosin filaments which act in a manner that can be described as lengthening and contracting. The quadriceps of the legs and biceps of the arms are examples of skeletal muscle tissue. Smooth muscle tissue is a tissue which works constantly and is involuntary. Neurons are very specific and complex cells which make up the nervous system. They are easily diagramed in 3 parts: The axon, the dendrites and the cell body. The nervous system is composed of neurons and is like the electrical system of the body. It was before mentioned that the skin is the body’s first line of defense as well as a protective outer covering. Mucous membranes are the next line of defense in safe guarding the body against microorganisms. Mucus itself serves as a sort of trap for capturing incoming pathogens and then a means of expelling them from the body. This is why we have excessive mucus and drainage during a cold or â€Å"the flu†. The body has two types of glands known as endocrine glands and exocrine glands. The difference in these two glands is that endocrine glands are ductless while exocrine glands are essentially ducts that connect to anatomical surfaces. Most of the ducts in the body are in fact exocrine.