Questions and Answers
What is the most abundant and widely distributed of primary tissues?
Skin consists of primarily what kind of tissue?
Connective tissue
What are the four main classes of connective tissue?
Connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone tissue, and blood.
What are the four main functions of connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three main substances of connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What makes up the extracellular matrix?
Signup and view all the answers
What is ground substance composed of?
Signup and view all the answers
What are types of cell adhesion proteins?
Signup and view all the answers
What is chondroitin sulfate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of ground substance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of fibers in connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three types of fibers in connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the matrix in connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What are reticular fibers?
Signup and view all the answers
Name some cells found in connective tissue.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a hematopoietic stem cell?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of blast cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What kinds of cells does connective tissue store?
Signup and view all the answers
Where do oval-shaped mast cells typically cluster?
Signup and view all the answers
What do mast cells do?
Signup and view all the answers
What are macrophages?
Signup and view all the answers
Where are macrophages found?
Signup and view all the answers
What is mesenchyme?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the subclasses of connective tissue proper?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the functions of areolar connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the structural features of areolar connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the components of areolar tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is lamina propria?
Signup and view all the answers
What is adipose tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What does vascularize mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is white fat adipose tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is brown fat adipose tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is reticular loose connective tissue proper?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Overview of Connective Tissue
- Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed primary tissue in the body.
- Skin is primarily composed of connective tissue.
Classes of Connective Tissue
- Four main classes include:
- Connective tissue proper (e.g., fat, fibrous tissue of ligaments)
- Cartilage
- Bone tissue
- Blood
Functions of Connective Tissue
- Binding and support
- Protection
- Insulation
- Transportation of substances within the body
Components of Connective Tissue
- Three main substances:
- Ground substance
- Fibers
- Cells
Extracellular Matrix
- Comprised of ground substance and fibers, which provides structural support and regulates cellular activities.
Ground Substance
- An unstructured material that fills the space between cells and contains fibers.
- Composed of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans.
Cell Adhesion Proteins
- Examples include fibronectin and laminin, which help cells stick to the extracellular matrix.
Specific Connective Tissue Components
- Chondroitin sulfate is a key structural element in cartilage.
- The function of ground substance is to act as a sieve between blood capillaries and cells.
- Fibers in connective tissue provide support, with three types existing:
- Collagenous (strongest and most abundant)
- Elastic
- Reticular fibers (fine, branching networks)
Types of Cells in Connective Tissue
- Key cell types include:
- Fibroblasts (produce fibers)
- Chondroblasts (form cartilage)
- Osteoblasts (form bone)
- Hematopoietic stem cells (undifferentiated cells producing blood cells)
Function of Blast Cells
- Blast cells synthesize the extracellular matrix.
Cell Types in Connective Tissue
- Storage of fat cells, mobile cells (e.g., white blood cells), mast cells, and macrophages that respond to tissue injury.
Mast Cells
- Typically cluster around blood vessels and act as sentinels to detect foreign microorganisms, mediating inflammation through heparin and proteases.
Macrophages
- Large, irregularly shaped cells known as "big eaters," responsible for ingesting dead tissue and foreign particles.
- Found in loose connective tissue, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissue.
Embryonic Tissue
- Mesenchyme serves as a common embryonic connective tissue.
Subclasses of Connective Tissue Proper
- Comprised of:
- Loose connective tissues (areolar, adipose, and reticular)
- Dense connective tissues (dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic)
Areolar Connective Tissue
- Functions include supporting and binding other tissues, holding body fluids, defending against infection, and storing nutrients as fat.
- Characterized by a loose arrangement of fibers and a high content of hyaluronic acid.
Components of Areolar Tissue
- Contains elastic fibers, collagenous fibers, fibroblast nuclei, macrophages, mast cells, and some white blood cells.
Lamina Propria
- A thin layer of loose connective tissue located beneath epithelial tissues, part of moist linings known as mucosa.
Adipose Tissue
- Predominantly made of adipocytes (90%).
- Features a scanty matrix with closely packed cells resembling chicken wire.
Vascularization
- Refers to supplying a tissue with blood vessels; for instance, endocrine glands are highly vascularized.
Types of Adipose Tissue
- White fat (stores nutrients) and brown fat (rich in mitochondria, generates heat from lipid fuels, primarily found in babies).
Reticular Loose Connective Tissue Proper
- Characterized by loose reticular fibers that form delicate networks.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on connective tissue with these flashcards. Learn about its types, functions, and importance in the body. Perfect for students of anatomy and biology!