Review: Cells, Tissues, And Membranes - SEER Training

Skip to Main Content Disclaimer. This site is a training resource for oncology data specialists and cancer registration trainees. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to guide clinical care, diagnosis, or treatment. NCI urges users to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to their personal medical questions.

1. Home
2. Cancer Registration & Surveillance Modules
3. Anatomy & Physiology
4. Cells, Tissues, & Membranes
5. Review

• Anatomy & Physiology
  • Intro to the Human Body
    • Body Functions & Life Process
    • Anatomical Terminology
    • Review
  • Cells, Tissues, & Membranes
    • Cell Structure & Function
      • Cell Structure
      • Cell Function
    • Body Tissues
      • Epithelial Tissue
      • Connective Tissue
      • Muscle Tissue
      • Nervous Tissue
    • Membranes
    • Review
  • Skeletal System
    • Structure of Bone Tissue
    • Bone Development & Growth
    • Classification of Bones
    • Divisions of the Skeleton
      • Axial Skeleton (80 bones)
      • Appendicular Skeleton (126 bones)
    • Articulations
    • Review
  • Muscular System
    • Structure of Skeletal Muscle
    • Muscle Types
    • Muscle Groups
      • Head and Neck
      • Trunk
      • Upper Extremity
      • Lower Extremity
    • Review
  • Nervous System
    • Nerve Tissue
    • Organization of the Nervous System
      • Central Nervous System
      • Peripheral Nervous System
    • Review
  • Endocrine System
    • Characteristics of Hormones
    • Endocrine Glands & Their Hormones
      • Pituitary & Pineal Glands
      • Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
      • Adrenal Gland
      • Pancreas
      • Gonads
      • Other Endocrine Glands
    • Review
  • Cardiovascular System
    • Heart
      • Structure of the Heart
      • Physiology of the Heart
    • Blood
      • Classification & Structure of Blood Vessels
      • Physiology of Circulation
      • Circulatory Pathways
    • Review
  • Lymphatic System
    • Components of the Lymphatic System
      • Lymph Nodes
      • Tonsils
      • Spleen
      • Thymus
    • Review
  • Respiratory System
    • Mechanics of Ventilation
    • Respiratory Volumes and Capacities
    • Conducting Passages
      • Nose, Nasal Cavities & Paranasal Sinuses
      • Pharynx
      • Larynx & Trachea
      • Bronchi, Bronchial Tree, & Lungs
    • Review
  • Digestive System
    • General Structure
    • Regions of the Digestive System
      • Mouth
      • Pharynx & Esophagus
      • Stomach
      • Small & Large Intestine
      • Accessory Organs
    • Review
  • Urinary System
    • Components of the Urinary System
      • Kidneys
      • Ureters
      • Urinary Bladder
      • Urethra
    • Review
  • Reproductive System
    • Male Reproductive System
      • Testes
      • Duct System
      • Accessory Glands
      • Penis
      • Male Sexual Response & Hormone Control
    • Female Reproductive System
      • Ovaries
      • Genital Tract
      • External Genitalia
      • Female Sexual Response & Hormone Control
      • Mammary Glands
    • Review
• Module (Cancer As a Disease)

Review: Cells, Tissues, and Membranes

Here is what we have learned from Cells, Tissues, and Membranes:

• Basically, a cell consists of three parts: the cell membrane, the nucleus, and between the two, the cytoplasm.
• The cell nucleus contains genetic material and regulates activities of the cell. It determines how the cell will function, as well as the basic structure of that cell.
• All of the functions for cell expansion, growth and replication are carried out in the cytoplasm of a cell.
• Tissue is a group of cells that have similar structure and that function together as a unit. Primary types of body tissues include epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.
• Epithelial tissues form the covering of all body surfaces, line body cavities and hollow organs, and are the major tissue in glands.
• Connective tissues bind structures together, form a framework and support for organs and the body as a whole, store fat, transport substances, protect against disease, and help repair tissue damage.
• Muscle tissue is composed of cells that have the special ability to shorten or contract in order to produce movement of body parts.
• Nervous tissue is responsible for coordinating and controlling many body activities.
• Body membranes are thin sheets of tissue that cover the body, line body cavities, and cover organs within the cavities in hollow organs.
• Two main categories of body membranes are epithelial and connective tissue membranes. Sub-categories include mucous membranes, serous membranes, synovial membranes, and meninges.

Previous

Membranes

Next

Skeletal System

Suggested Citation

SEER Training Modules: Review: Cells, Tissues, and Membranes. U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Cited 15 February 2026. Available from: https://training.seer.cancer.gov.

Glossary Term