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From cells to organs: How is the ladder of life constructed?
In biology, a tissue is a group of similar cells and their extracellular matrix that share a common embryonic origin and work together to perform a specific function. Tissues are located at the biological organization level between cells and complete organs. Therefore, organs are composed of a collection of multiple functional tissues. Even the most basic cellular structures can be cyclically combined into more complex organisms, which is an important mechanism in the evolution of life.
The word "tissue" comes from the French word "tissu", which means "to weave".
Classification of plant tissues
In plant anatomy, tissues are often broadly divided into three systems: epidermis, basal tissue, and vascular tissue. The epidermis is the cells that make up the surface of leaves and young plants. The main components of vascular tissue are xylem and phloem, which transport fluids and nutrients within the plant. The basal tissues mainly produce nutrients, participate in photosynthesis and store reserve nutrients.
Meristem
Meristems consist of actively dividing cells that give the plant its growth in length and thickness. The main growth of a plant occurs only in a few specific areas, such as the tips of the stems or roots. Within these regions, meristems are present. The cells of meristem are roughly spherical, polyhedral or rectangular in shape, with thin cell walls.
Permanent Organization
Permanent tissue is a group of living or non-living cells formed by meristems that have lost the ability to divide and are permanently fixed in a specific location in the plant body. Meristems differentiate into different types of permanent tissues, a process called cell differentiation.
For plants, permanent tissues are usually divided into simple permanent tissues and compound permanent tissues.
The diversity of animal tissues
Animal tissues can be divided into four types: connective tissue, muscle tissue, nervous tissue, and epithelial tissue. These four basic tissues combine in different ways in different animals to create complex organ structures.
The role of epithelial tissue
Epithelial tissue is composed of cells covering the surface of organs. These cells form a selectively permeable barrier through tight junctions, and their importance in protecting organs cannot be underestimated. Epithelial tissue is also involved in functions such as secretion and absorption.
Characteristics of connective tissue
Connective tissue consists of living cells and a matrix of non-living cells. The matrix can be fluid or rigid and provides shape to organs and holds them in place. Examples of connective tissue include blood, bone, and fat.
Issues and Challenges
For muscle tissue, it generates force through contraction, whether it is external movement or internal organ movement. The main types of muscle are smooth muscle, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, each with its own specific function and structure.
Nervous tissue is an important component of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, responsible for the transmission and processing of information. The existence of these tissues enables animals to respond quickly to changes in the external environment.
Cells develop into tissues, and tissues further form organs. This step-by-step construction process allows life to evolve from a single cell to a complex organism, which is amazing.
Biological tissues composed of vitamins and minerals embody the wisdom of plants and animals in adapting to the environment.
This ladder of life makes us wonder: when we look up at the wonders of nature today, what new tissues and organs will emerge tomorrow to adapt to the ever-changing environment?
