Connective Tissue Cells and Fibers Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the characteristic appearance of the nucleus in plasma cells?

Dense and oval

Cartwheel appearance (correct)

Compact and round

Irregular and fragmented

What is the primary function of plasma cells?

Secretion of heparin

Production of platelets

Humeral immunity via antibodies (correct)

Regulation of blood pressure

Which of the following is a clinical implication of multiple myeloma?

Increase in white blood cell count

Overproduction of erythropoietin

Suppression of hematopoiesis (correct)

Increase in erythropoiesis

Mast cells secrete which of the following substances?

Heparin and histamine Signup and view all the answers

In histological structure, plasma cells are distinguished by which feature?

Extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum Signup and view all the answers

What type of connective tissue do mast cells primarily populate?

Loose connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

What effect does multiple myeloma have on bone health?

Activation of osteoclasts Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the cytoplasm of mast cells?

It is filled with basophilic secretory granules Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of reticular fibers?

Type III collagen Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is linked to a deficiency of α1-antitrypsin?

Lung emphysema Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ground substance?

Visible in traditional histological sections Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of mutations in the fibrillin gene?

Aortic swellings (aneurysms) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiber is characterized as very thin and capable of branching to form networks?

Reticular fibers Signup and view all the answers

What type of syndrome is caused by a deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme that degrades dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate?

Hurler syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What compound is primarily responsible for carrying the structural integrity of elastic fibers?

Fibrillin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases is characterized by a lack of resistance in tissues rich in elastic fibers?

Marfan syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of plasma cells?

Synthesis of antibodies Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fibers is characterized by being yellow and elastic in nature?

Yellow elastic fibers Signup and view all the answers

In which anatomical sites are mast cells primarily found?

In the lungs and areas subjected to bacterial invasion Signup and view all the answers

How are yellow elastic fibers distinguished in a histological stain?

They show acidophilic properties with H & E stain Signup and view all the answers

What role does mast cell secretion of heparin and histamine play in the body?

Promoting blood clotting and inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of white collagenous fibers?

They provide high tensile strength and resistance to stress Signup and view all the answers

What type of connective tissue tumor is associated with plasma cells?

Multiple myeloma Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates reticular fibers from other connective tissue fibers?

They form a supportive network in soft tissues Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Connective Tissue Cells

Fibroblasts: synthesize all types of fibers and ground substances in connective tissue.
Macrophages: phagocytic cells responsible for ingesting and digesting foreign materials and cellular debris.
Mast cells: secrete heparin, an anticoagulant, and histamine, a mediator of allergic reactions.
Plasma cells: responsible for synthesizing antibodies, crucial for humoral immunity.

Connective Tissue Fibers

Collagen fibers: most abundant and strongest type of connective tissue fibers, resist longitudinal stress.
- Appearance: white in color, form wavy bundles that branch, but individual fibers do not.
- Composition: composed of fibrils formed from type-I tropocollagen molecules.
- Staining: acidophilic with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), blue with Mallory trichrome stain.
Elastic fibers: provide elasticity to connective tissues.
- Appearance: yellow in color, branch and form elastic membranes.
- Composition: composed of an amorphous protein, elastin, surrounded by microfibrils called oxytalan fibers.
- Staining: acidophilic with H&E, yellow with Van-Gieson stain.
Reticular fibers: form a delicate network that supports parenchymatous organs.
- Appearance: thin fibers that branch and anastomose.
- Staining: not stained with H&E, stained brown to black with silver.
- Composition: composed of type-III collagen coated by glycoprotein.

Ground Substance

Composition: complex mixture of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and glycoproteins.
Components:
- Proteoglycans: consist of proteins and repeating disaccharide units (e.g., hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and heparan sulfate).
- Glycoproteins: conjugation of proteins and carbohydrates (e.g., chondronectin, fibronectin, integrins, and laminin).
- Water and salts.

Plasma cells

Origin: B lymphocytes.
Appearance: ovoid in shape, small eccentric nucleus with heterochromatin radiating outwards (cartwheel appearance), basophilic cytoplasm with a pale area representing the Golgi apparatus (negative Golgi image).
Functions:
- Responsible for humoral immunity (Antibodies).
- Present in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.

Mast Cells

Appearance: oval or rounded, abundant in loose connective tissue along blood vessels, central rounded nucleus, cytoplasm full of basophilic secretory granules.
Functions:
- Secrete heparin, an anticoagulant, and a cofactor for lipoprotein lipase.
- Secrete histamine, involved in antigen-antibody reactions and allergies.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the various types of connective tissue cells and fibers essential for understanding tissue structure and function. This quiz covers fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, and details about collagen and elastic fibers. Perfect for students in biology or anatomy courses.