BIO 135 Tissues Virtual

Identification Guide to
Muscle and Nervous Tissues

Return to:
Main Tissues Page BIO 135 Main Page

	Smooth Muscle Identification: Muscle cells are packed tightly together (no gaps between cells) and usually not distinct. Nuclei (arrow) may or may not be visible. Note lack of striations. Two views are shown. To find smooth muscle look near the outer portions of the organs on the slides. Features to Know: nuclei (if visible). Where Located: under involuntary control; found surrounding most hollow organs.
	Cardiac Muscle Identification: Note faint striations across fibers. Fibers distinct, typically with numerous small gaps between them. Features to Know: nuclei (1), intercalated disk (2). Where Located: involuntary muscle of the heart.
	Skeletal Muscle Identification: Teased or l.s. section shows distinct, very large, straight fibers (fibers in cardiac muscle are much smaller & branched). Looks more like hair than any other tissue. Also has distinct. Features to Know: striations (1) composed of dark A-bands and light I-bands; nuclei (2) pushed to edge of fiber; sarcolemna (plasma membrane surrounding fiber). Where Located: skeletal muscles; under voluntary control.
	Neuron Smear Identification: Note distinctive shape of neuron, with long processes (dendrites and/or axons, 5) extending out from main cell body. Features to Know: The large, irregularly shaped cell body (3) contains a darker nucleus (2), which contains an even darker-staining nucleolus (1). There are also numerous supporting glial cells, though only their small dark nuclei (4) are easily seen.

Continue on to the Connective Tissue Page

This page created by Udo M. Savalli. Maintained by Bill Snyder Last updated January 17, 2011.