0404 Connective tissue

Question 1

What is connective tissue

Answer 1

A group of similar cells that supports organs, fills spaces and binds tissue systems

Question 2

True or False: connective tissue is the most widely distributed tissue

Answer 2

True!

Question 3

What are the functions of connective tissue (4 categories)

Answer 3

Structural (binding, protection, support), exchange of nutrients, repair and defense

Question 4

What are the cellular and extra cellular components of connective tissue?

Answer 4

Cells (indigenous + migratory cells) and extracellular matrix (ground substance + fibres)

Question 5

What are the 3 types of indigenous cells and what are their functions

Answer 5

Fibroblasts (maintenance and synthesis of extracellular matrix)

Reticulocytes (maintenance and synthesis of extracellular matrix in reticular tissue)

Adipocytes (white = storage of energy and structural, bronwn = thermo regulation)

Question 6

What are the 5 types of migratory cells in connective tissue? what are their functions

Answer 6

Macrophages (phagocytosis and antigen presenting)

Mast cells (defence against bacterium or allergens)

Plasma cells (production of antibodies)

Eosinophils (defence against parasites and allergic disorders)

Lymphocytes (innate and adaptive IS: phagocytosis, antigen presentation, cytotoxic defence)

Question 7

Which migratory cells contain granuels of histamine

Answer 7

Eosinophils and Mast cells

Question 8

List the components of the extracellular matrix (2) and their sub components

Answer 8

Ground substance (GAGs, proteoglycans, glycoproteins) + fibres (collagen, reticular, elastin)

Question 9

Describe collagen fibres (what they are made of, function and appearance)

Answer 9

Collagen fibres made of tropocollagen (3 collagen proteins in a spiral). Their function is strength and support. They appear striated with elongated and regularly bundles

Question 10

Describe reticular fibres (what they look like and function)

Answer 10

Also known as collagen type 3. They are tiny collagen fibres of delicate networks. Their function is a supporting framework for cells in organs

Question 11

Describe elastic fibres (what are they made of, function and examples)

Answer 11

Made of elastin molecules crosslinked to formed a coil. Main function is to confer elasticity. E.g. include skin, blood vessels, lungs, etc

Question 12

What is the main function of ground substance and what is it made of

Answer 12

GS is composed of GAGs, proteoglycans and glycoproteins. It’s main function is a medium for passage of molecules and exchange of metabolites

Question 13

What is the basement membrane and what are it’s functions

Answer 13

It is a sheet of limiting extracellular proteins between epithelia and parenchyma. It provides structural support, controls growth, permits passage of nutrients and regulates permeability

Question 14

List the 5 types of connective tissue

Answer 14

Dense CT
Loose CT
Mucoud CT
Adipose Tissue
Reticular CT

Question 15

Describe dense connective tissue and what are the 2 types of dense CT

Answer 15

Dense CT has more fibres (less cells and ground sub.). there is regular (parallel fibres) and irregular (disorganized fibres)

Question 16

What is the difference between regular and irregular CT and give an example of each

Answer 16

Regular CT = tight, parallel fibre bundles (e.g. tendon, ligaments, cornea)

Irregular CT = moderately packed, meshwork of bundles (e.g. skin, sheaths around organs)

Question 17

Describe loose connective tissue? What is it otherwise called? What are some special variants

Answer 17

Loose connective tissue permits mobility between structures and is present in all parts of body. It is also called areolar tissue. Variants include Mucoid, reticular and adipose tissue)

Question 18

Describe mucoid connective tissue and give an example of it

Answer 18

Mucoid CT has more space between cells (more ground substance) and therefore less cohesion. E.g. umbilical cord or dental pulp

Question 19

Describe reticular connect tissue and give an example of it

Answer 19

Reticular CT = reticular cells + network of reticular fibres. Often forms structural framework to support cells of an organ. E.g. liver, lymph nodes and spleen

Question 20

Describe adipose tissue and name the 2 types and their functions

Answer 20

Adipose T = tissue with increased adipocytes. There is unilocar (white) AT - one large lipid droplet. Energy storage and structural support. And multilocular (brown) AT - many lipid droplets. Thermal regulation

Question 21

The constituent of extracellular matrix largely responsible

for providing strength and support to connective tissue is

Answer 21

Collagen