Body organization · Topic 3 of 18
Cells & Tissues (Cytology & Histology)
The Human Cell & Cell Division
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The Human Cell & Cell Division
A cell is membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus; mitosis makes two identical body cells, meiosis makes four unique haploid cells with half the chromosomes.
What it is
Parts & jobs
Step by step
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Mitosis or meiosis?
Commonly confused| Mitosis | Meiosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Divisions | One | Two (meiosis I and II) |
| Cells made | 2 daughter cells | 4 haploid cells (for sperm or eggs) |
| Chromosomes per cell (human) | 46 — diploid, same as parent | 23 — haploid, half the parent |
| Genetically | Identical to the parent | Each one different |
| Job | Growth, repair, replacing cells | Making sex cells for reproduction |
Mix-ups to avoid
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Mitosis makes twins for growth and repair; meiosis makes four one-of-a-kind haploid cells.
Sources · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §1.2 Structural Organization of the Human Body · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §3.1 The Cell Membrane · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §3.2 The Cytoplasm and Cellular Organelles · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §3.3 The Nucleus and DNA Replication · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §3.5 Cell Growth and Division · OpenStax Biology 2e §11.1 The Process of Meiosis · Union Test Prep — HESI Anatomy and Physiology study guide, page 1 (cytology; mitosis and meiosis) · Built from the verified NurseSavvy HESI A2 fact map (facts reviewed 2026-10-16). HESI is a trademark of Elsevier; NurseSavvy is not affiliated with Elsevier.
Tissue Types & Locations
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Tissue Types & Locations
Four tissue types build the body: epithelial covers and lines, connective binds and supports, muscle contracts, and nervous tissue signals.
What it is
Parts & jobs
The rules
Don't confuse
Epithelial or connective tissue?
Commonly confused| Epithelial | Connective | |
|---|---|---|
| Cells | Packed tightly in sheets, almost no material between | Scattered in a large matrix of fibers and ground substance |
| Blood vessels | None (avascular) — fed by diffusion | Varies: bone well supplied, cartilage avascular |
| Main job | Cover, line, secrete, absorb | Bind, support, protect, transport |
| Examples | Epidermis, lining of the gut, alveoli | Bone, cartilage, fat, tendons, blood |
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Name an epithelium by layers first, then shape: stratified squamous means many layers, flat on top.
Sources · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §4.1 Types of Tissues · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §4.2 Epithelial Tissue · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §4.3 Connective Tissue Supports and Protects · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §4.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §4.5 Nervous Tissue Mediates Perception and Response · OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e §9.4 Synovial Joints · Union Test Prep — HESI Anatomy and Physiology study guide, page 1 (histology: types of tissue) · Built from the verified NurseSavvy HESI A2 fact map (facts reviewed 2026-10-16). HESI is a trademark of Elsevier; NurseSavvy is not affiliated with Elsevier.
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