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Which four basic tissue types make up the human body?
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Physiology
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the power source of many biochemical reactions. It is produced in the cell structures and system listed at the left to energize the important life processes listed on the right. An abbreviated chemical formula of the structure of ATP is also shown. The two high-energy P―O―P bonds are responsible for its power.
The human body is composed of four primary types of tissue, which are categorized based on their cell composition and the functions they perform:123
- Epithelial tissue: This type covers the body’s surface and lines internal organs, body cavities, and passageways.13
- Muscle tissue: Composed of contractile cells, this tissue is responsible for movement and forms the body’s musculature.13
- Nerve tissue: This tissue conducts electrical impulses and makes up the nervous system, allowing for communication and control throughout the body.13
- Connective tissue: This group consists of widely spaced cells and large amounts of intercellular matrix. It serves to bind together various body structures, provide internal support, and maintain the form of the body and its organs. Specialized forms of connective tissue include bone and blood.43