Connective Tissue: Types, Cells, and Matrix
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a situation where the extracellular matrix (ECM) would be the predominant functional component of a connective tissue?

  • Adipocytes storing excess triglycerides to provide energy reserves.
  • A plasma cell secreting antibodies in response to an allergen.
  • White blood cells engulfing bacteria at the site of an infection.
  • A tendon connecting muscle to bone, providing tensile strength and flexibility. (correct)

A researcher is studying a sample of connective tissue and observes a high concentration of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within the extracellular matrix. What is the most likely function of this tissue, given the presence of GAGs?

  • Generating heat through increased metabolic activity.
  • Providing tensile strength and resistance to stretching.
  • Facilitating rapid communication between cells.
  • Resisting compressive forces and maintaining tissue hydration. (correct)

Damage to fibroblasts would most likely affect which aspect of connective tissue?

  • The transport of oxygen.
  • The production and maintenance of the extracellular matrix. (correct)
  • The storage of fat.
  • The ability to fight off infection.

A pathologist observes a tissue sample with a large number of adipocytes. Which of the following is the most likely function of this tissue?

<p>Storing energy in the form of fat. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compared to connective tissues with predominantly mechanical functions (e.g., tendons), what distinguishing characteristic would you expect to find in connective tissues specialized for metabolic maintenance or protection?

<p>An increased number of specialized cells, like adipocytes or leukocytes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a fixed cell within connective tissue?

<p>Plasma cell (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within the extracellular matrix?

<p>Linking together to form proteoglycans that absorb water and resist compressive forces (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of connective tissue fiber is primarily responsible for providing elasticity to tissues?

<p>Elastic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is most indicative of loose connective tissue?

<p>Numerous cells with loosely arranged fibers and a slightly viscous fluid (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is loose connective tissue typically found in the human body?

<p>Surrounding and supporting organs and tissues throughout the body (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do fibroblasts contribute to the structure of connective tissue?

<p>By secreting the fibers that form a supporting network (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering their composition, which type of connective tissue would be most effective at resisting compressive forces?

<p>Extracellular matrix with proteoglycans, due to their water-absorbing capabilities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of connective tissue is classified as both specialized and supporting?

<p>Cartilage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic primarily distinguishes white adipose tissue from other types of areolar connective tissue?

<p>Its primary role in thermal insulation and energy storage. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What functional adaptation is best associated with elastic connective tissue, contrasting it with dense regular connective tissue?

<p>Allowing for stretch and recoil in organs like the aorta. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the matrix composition of cartilage generally differ from that of other connective tissues like bone or dense connective tissue?

<p>Cartilage matrix has a higher water content and a flexible combination of collagen and elastic fibers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following locations is most likely to contain reticular connective tissue as its primary tissue type?

<p>Lymph nodes and the spleen. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of chondrocytes within cartilage, and how does this relate to cartilage's unique properties?

<p>Chondrocytes maintain and repair the cartilage matrix, contributing to its flexibility and resilience. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is blood classified as a connective tissue, despite its fluid matrix?

<p>Because blood cells are suspended in a matrix (plasma) and originate from bone marrow. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the arrangement of collagen fibers in dense irregular connective tissue contribute to its function, contrasting it with dense regular connective tissue?

<p>The fibers are randomly arranged, allowing resistance to stress from multiple directions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cartilage is best suited to withstand compressive forces, such as those experienced in the intervertebral discs?

<p>Fibrocartilage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Connective Tissue

Tissues maintaining body form, organ cohesion, and internal support.

Connective Tissue Variations

Density, cellularity, and specialization.

Connective Tissue Cells

Fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, eosinophils.

Connective Tissue Matrix

Glycoproteins, fibrous proteins, and glycosaminoglycans.

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Mechanical Function Tissues

Ligaments, tendons, and bones.

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Extracellular Matrix

Ground substance filling spaces between cells and fibers, enabling metabolite transportation. Resists compression.

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Connective Tissue Fibers

Elastic, collagen, and reticular fibers forming a supporting network.

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Specialized Connective Tissue

Supporting connective: Cartilage, Bone. Fluid connective: Blood, Lymph.

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Connective Tissue Proper

Loose and dense connective tissues.

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Types of Loose Connective Tissue

Areolar, adipose, and reticular.

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Types of Dense Connective Tissue

Regular and irregular.

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Loose Connective Tissue

Framework connecting and supporting other tissues; contains elastin and collagen fibers.

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Areolar Tissue

Covers muscle fibers, under epidermis, in/around mucous membranes.

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Adipose Tissue

Supports, thermally insulates, and stores energy. Two types: white and brown.

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Reticular Tissue

Fine branching reticular fibers in a semi-solid matrix; contains reticular cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes.

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Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Provides strength with fibers arranged in one direction.

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Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Provides strength in multiple directions with fibers arranged irregularly.

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Cartilage

Firmer than other connective tissues; cells are chondrocytes within a matrix of collagen and elastic fibers.

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Hyaline Cartilage

A type of cartilage with a smooth, glassy appearance; found in joints and respiratory tract.

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Blood

Specialized watery fluid consisting of plasma plus cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets).

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Study Notes

  • Connective tissue maintains body form, supports organs, provides cohesion and internal support.
  • Connective tissues vary in density, cellularity, and specialization.

Overview of Connective Tissue

  • Components include water, cells, and extracellular matrix.
  • Cells include fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, and eosinophils.
  • The extracellular matrix comprises glycoproteins, fibrous proteins, and glycosaminoglycans.

Extracellular matrix

  • Primary feature in tissues with a mechanical function (ligaments, tendons, bones).

Cells

  • Main feature in tissues for protection (haemopoietic tissue, blood - white blood cells) or metabolic maintenance (adipocytes, blood - red blood cells).

Connective Tissue Cells:

  • Fixed cells include fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, and mast cells.
  • Transient cells include plasma cells and eosinophils.

Extracellular Matrix

  • Also known as ground substance.
  • Amorphous, gelatinous, transparent, and colorless.
  • It fills spaces between cells and fibers, enabling metabolite transportation.
  • Consists of glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs), which link to form proteoglycans that absorb water.
  • Resists compressive forces effectively.

Fibers of Connective Tissue

  • Secreted by fibroblasts.
  • Form a supporting network to which cells attach.
  • Three types of fiber: elastic, collagen, and reticular.

Classification of Connective Tissue:

  • Connective Tissue Proper can be divided into loose and dense connective tissues.
  • Specialized Connective Tissue can be further subdivided into supporting and fluid connective tissue.

Connective Tissue Proper:

  • Divided into loose and dense connective tissue.

Loose Connective Tissue

  • Has numerous cells, thin elastin fibers and some thicker collagen fibers.
  • Has a slightly viscous fluid.
  • Found in most areas of the body, it connects and supports other tissues.

Types of Loose Connective Tissue:

  • Areolar connective tissue covers muscle fibers and is found under the epidermis and around mucous membranes.
  • Adipose connective tissue comprises 20-25% of body weight.
  • White adipose tissue supports and thermally insulates, also functions in energy storage.
  • Reticular connective tissue, which contains reticular cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes, is found in lymph nodes. It contains fine branching reticular fibers in a semisolid matrix.

Dense Connective Tissue

  • Types of dense connective tissue are elastic, dense irregular and dense regular.

Cartilage

  • Firmer than other connective tissues.
  • Contains chondrocytes within a matrix of collagen and elastic fibers.
  • Three types: hyaline, fibrocartilage, and elastic.

Bone

  • Bone is a type of supporting connective tissue.
  • There are two types of bone: compact and spongy.

Blood

  • It is a fluid connective tissue composed of plasma, erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets, and constantly circulates around the body.

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Explore connective tissue's role in maintaining body form and supporting organs. Learn about its diverse components, including cells like fibroblasts and macrophages, and the extracellular matrix. Understand the functions of fixed and transient cells within connective tissues.

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