5.5 Flashcards
Connective tissue is divided into two broad categories.
What are they?
connective tissue proper and specialized connective tissue
What are the components of areolar tissue?
A loose tissue with randomly arranged fibers and cells in a thick, translucent matrix. It appears relaxed, with round and star-shaped cells among crisscrossing fibers. The main cell, the fibroblast, produces elastic, reticular, and collagen fibers.
What is the common term for adipose tissue?
The common term is fat. Adipose tissue is specialized for storing energy in the form of fat and also provides insulation and cushioning to protect organs.
In terms of its form and function, how is brown fat different from white fat?
White Fat: Contains large fat droplets, fewer mitochondria, and primarily stores energy, provides insulation, and secretes hormones.
Brown Fat: Contains smaller fat droplets, more mitochondria, and generates heat to maintain body temperature, particularly in infants and hibernating animals.
What are three subtypes of dense connective tissue?
Dense Regular Connective Tissue: Collagen fibers are aligned in a parallel pattern, providing strength in one direction. It is found in tendons and ligaments.
Dense Irregular Connective Tissue: Collagen fibers are arranged in a random, interwoven pattern, providing strength in multiple directions. It is found in the dermis of the skin and the fibrous capsules of organs.
Elastic Connective Tissue: Contains a high proportion of elastic fibers, allowing for stretch and recoil. It is found in structures like the walls of large arteries and the bronchial tubes.
Give three examples of specialized connective tissue. How are they similar to connective tissue proper? How are they different?
Bone (Osseous tissue), Cartilage, Blood
Cartilage is similar bc it is composed of cells, fibers, and matrix. It is different in that it is more rigid than dense connective tissue.
Bone is similar to connective tissue proper in that it is also composed of cells, fibers, and matrix; however, bone is much more dense. In fact, it is the hardest, most rigid type of connective tissue.
Blood is similar in that it has a matrix, plasma, a fibrous component that is visible when blood clots, and cells. It is different in that it is almost always fluid but can clot when necessary.
Why is cartilage limited in thickness and slow to heal?
Cartilage thickness is limited as nutrients diffuse from the perichondrium to the chondrocytes.
Chondrocytes farther from the perichondrium may receive less nourishment.
Cartilage heals slowly because it is avascular (lacks blood vessels).
Describe three types of cartilage. What are their differences and similarities?
Hyaline, Elastic, Fibrocartilage
Hyaline Cartilage
is the most common type, with closely packed collagen fibers, making it tough yet flexible.
Found in growth plates of long bones, supporting bone development and lengthening.
The most rigid type of cartilage, enclosed in a perichondrium.
Elastic Cartilage
Is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains an abundance of elastic fibers, which form dense branching bundles that appear black microscopically.
found in the epiglottis of the larynx and in the pinnae (external ears) of animals.
Fibrocartilage
Usually is found merged with hyaline cartilage and dense connective tissue. Like hyaline cartilage, it contains thick bundles of collagen fibers, but it has fewer chondrocytes and lacks a perichondrium.
Found in the spaces between vertebrae of the spine, between bones in the pelvic girdle, and in the knee joint.
Even though blood and bone appear to be grossly different, they both represent types of connective tissue. Why?
Blood and bone both contain cells, a matrix, and extracellular fibers.
