What are the four main types of animal tissues?

The four main types of animal tissues—muscle, connective, epithelial, and nervous—each play critical roles in the overall function and organization of the animal body.

Muscle tissue is responsible for movement, made up of cells that can contract, allowing for locomotion and other movements necessary for survival. There are three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth, which serve different purposes within the body.

Connective tissue provides support and structure to the body, binding other tissues together and facilitating the transport of nutrients and oxygen. It includes a diverse range of tissues such as bone, blood, cartilage, and adipose (fat) tissue.

Epithelial tissue forms protective layers and surfaces both inside and outside the body. It plays critical roles in absorption, secretion, and sensation, acting as a barrier against mechanical injury, pathogens, and fluid loss.

Nervous tissue is essential for communication and control within the body, consisting of neurons that transmit signals and glial cells that support and protect the nervous system.

Together, these four tissue types enable the complex functioning of multicellular organisms, each contributing distinctive properties and functions vital for survival.