Question

The tissue type common to animals that functions in the conduction of electrical signals is a. epithelial. b. dermal. c. muscle. d. nervous. e. ground.

Short answer

The correct answer is d. Nervous.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the types of tissues

In animals, there are four main types of tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.

Analyzing each option

In brief, epithelial tissues cover body surfaces and line hollow organs, body cavities, and ducts. Muscle tissues are responsible for body movement. Nervous tissues are responsible for generating and transmitting nerve impulses. Dermal and ground tissues are not common types of animal tissues, they are recognized types in plants.

Selecting the correct answer

Given the main functions of each group, the type of tissue that conducts electrical signals in animals is the nervous tissue.

Key concepts

Understanding Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissue is one of the four fundamental types of tissue in the animal body. It serves many functions, such as offering a protective barrier and being involved in absorption, secretion, and sensation. This tissue type forms the lining of internal organs and the outer surface of the body. It can be found in the skin, lining the digestive system, respiratory organs, and in glands.

Epithelial cells are tightly packed together with minimal intercellular space, which allows them to effectively protect underlying structures. They are anchored to a basement membrane, which adds structural support. Depending on their function and location, epithelial tissues come in different shapes and arrangements: squamous (flat cells), cuboidal (cube-like cells), and columnar (column-shaped cells). Furthermore, they can be simple (single layer), stratified (multiple layers), or pseudostratified, where cells of varying heights appear to form multiple layers but are actually a single layer.

Muscle Tissue and Its Role in Movement

Muscle tissue is characterized by its ability to contract, which is fundamental to all types of movement within the body. There are three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

• Skeletal muscle: This is the muscle attached to bones and is under voluntary control. It allows you to perform actions like walking, writing, and jumping.
• Cardiac muscle: Found only in the heart, it is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. This muscle works involuntarily and has a unique striated appearance.
• Smooth muscle: It is found in the walls of internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. Smooth muscle contracts involuntarily and helps in processes like digestion and regulation of blood flow.

Each type of muscle tissue is vital for body functions, and its highly specialized cells can change length or tension which leads to movement. Skeletal muscles work in pairs to move limbs and body parts, while smooth and cardiac muscles function automatically driven by internal signals.

Nervous Tissue: The Communication Network

Nervous tissue is pivotal in processing and transmitting information throughout the animal body. This communication is achieved through a network of neurons (nerve cells) which carry electrical impulses, and glial cells that provide support and insulation between neurons.

Neurons consist of a cell body containing the nucleus, dendrites which receive signals, and a long axon that transmits impulses to other cells. Glial cells include several types, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, each with a specific role in supporting neural function.

Nervous tissue makes up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It enables sensation, thought, movement, and control over internal organs. It is the nervous tissue's unique ability to conduct electrical signals rapidly and precisely that allows the body to respond to internal and external environments, making it a focal component of the nervous system.