30 Questions
What is the primary function of the ground substance in connective tissue?
To act as a molecular sieve for substances to travel between blood capillaries and cells
What is the main component of collagen fibers?
Fibrous protein (collagen) subunits
What is the primary function of connective tissue in the body?
To maintain the form of the body and its organs
What is the origin of connective tissue in the body?
Mesoderm
What is the function of connective tissue in terms of storing energy?
To store reserve fuel
What is the effect of fibers on the ground substance?
They impede diffusion and make it less pliable
What is the function of histamine in inflammatory reactions?
It makes the capillaries leaky
What type of cells originate in the bone marrow and secrete large quantities of antibodies?
Plasma cells
What is the function of macrophages in the body?
They remove and digest by-products of bacterial warfare and normal growth
What type of cells contain a substantial amount of lipid stored in the form of conspicuous round droplets?
Adipocytes
What is the function of heparin in the body?
It prevents blood clotting
What type of cells migrate into the connective tissue matrix from the bloodstream?
Mobile cells
What is the main property of elastin found in elastic fibers?
It returns to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
What is the characteristic of fibers that are prominent in elastic tissues found in skin and the vertebral column?
They contain elastin and return to their original shape after stretching.
What is the function of fibroblasts in connective tissue?
They produce and maintain the extracellular matrix.
What is the characteristic of fresh elastic fibers?
They appear yellow.
Where are mast cells typically found?
Deep to an epithelium or along blood vessels.
What is the shape of fibroblasts?
Flat and branching, appearing spindle-shaped.
What is the primary function of adipocytes in the body?
To provide reserve food fuel
Where is reticular connective tissue typically found in the body?
In the lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and the spleen
What is the characteristic of dense regular connective tissue?
It has fibers running in the same direction, parallel to the direction of pull
What is the role of reticular fibers in reticular connective tissue?
To form a soft internal skeleton that supports other cells
What is the location of adipocytes in the body?
In the skin, around kidneys and eyeball, and in bones
What is the characteristic of adipocytes?
They have a large fat droplet that pushes the nucleus to the side
What is a characteristic of collagen fibers in dense regular connective tissue?
Slightly wavy, allowing for stretching
Where is dense irregular connective tissue commonly found?
Skin and fibrous joint capsules
What is the major cell type in dense regular and irregular connective tissue?
Fibroblast
What is a function of dense regular connective tissue?
To attach muscles to bones
What type of forces does dense irregular connective tissue withstand?
Tension in multiple directions
What is a characteristic of dense irregular connective tissue?
Thicker collagen fibers, irregularly arranged
Study Notes
Connective Tissue
- One of the four basic types of tissue in the body, maintaining the body's form and providing internal support.
- Found throughout the body, varying in amount in different organs.
- Develops from the mesoderm.
Components of Connective Tissue
- Fibers
- Ground substance
- Cells
Functions of Connective Tissue
- Binding and supporting (e.g., bones and cartilages)
- Protection (e.g., skin and adipose tissue)
- Insulation (e.g., adipose tissue)
- Storing reserve fuel
- Transporting substances within the body (e.g., blood)
Ground Substance
- Clear, colorless, viscous, unstructured material filling the space between cells.
- Composed of proteoglycans and cell adhesion proteins.
- Functions as a molecular sieve or medium for substances to travel between blood capillaries and cells.
Fibers
- Three main types: collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.
- Collagen fibers:
- Constructed from fibrous protein (collagen) subunits.
- Act as sensitive sentinels to detect foreign substances.
- Elastic fibers:
- Contain the protein elastin.
- Return to their original shape after being stretched or compressed.
- Reticular fibers:
- Fine, branching, collagenous fibers.
- Form delicate networks that surround small blood vessels and support soft tissue.
Cells
- Fibroblasts:
- Produce and maintain the extracellular matrix.
- Most common cell type in connective tissue.
- Mast cells:
- Oval in shape, typically found clustered in tissue spaces.
- Contain secretory granules with heparin and histamine.
- Adipocytes:
- Large cells containing a substantial amount of lipid.
- Found in various locations, including under the skin, around kidneys and eyeballs, and in bones.
Types of Connective Tissue
- Reticular connective tissue:
- Resembles areolar connective tissue.
- Matrix contains only reticular fibers.
- Found in lymphoid organs (e.g., lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen).
- Dense connective tissue:
- Two types: dense regular and dense irregular.
- Dense regular connective tissue:
- Fibers run in the same direction, parallel to the direction of pull.
- Found in tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.
- Function: attaches muscles to bones or to muscles, withstands great tensile stress.
- Dense irregular connective tissue:
- Fibers are arranged irregularly.
- Found in skin, fibrous joint capsule, and fibrous covering of organs.
- Function: provides structural strength and withstands tension exerted in many directions.
This quiz covers the basics of connective tissue, including its functions, components, and distribution in the body. Learn about the types of connective tissue and their roles in maintaining the body's form and providing internal support.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
