cartilage

Question 1

hyaline cartilage features

Answer 1

withstands compressive and tensile forces. load bearing but not elastic. collagen network basketweave, type 2 held together by type 9

Question 2

what are chondrocytes responsible for

Answer 2

synthesis/breakdown of ECM components in cartilage

Question 3

where is fibrocartilage found

Answer 3

intervertebral disks, meniscus

Question 4

fibrocartilage features

Answer 4

can withstand tensile and compressive forces. thick and normally have clear parallel orientation and structure. often in rows, mainly fibroblasts but some chondrocytes

Question 5

what do fibroblasts mainly produce

Answer 5

type 1 collagen

Question 6

elastic cartilage features

Answer 6

contains elastin - reversibly deformable. fibroblasts synthesise elastin, collagens

Question 7

roles of articular cartilage

Answer 7

absorbs and distributes load
protects ends of bone
provides low friction surface

Question 8

what is synovial fluid produced by

Answer 8

synoviocytes of synovial membrane

Question 9

what happens to cartilage in immobilised joints

Answer 9

cartilage thins and is lost.

Question 10

effects of different types of load on chondrocytes

Answer 10

static load - depresses synthesis
dynamic load - stimulates synthesis

Question 11

what is mechanotransduction

Answer 11

link between changes to mechanical environment of cells and the cells response

Question 12

how is articular cartilage adapted to withstand load (5)

Answer 12

avascular, aneural, alymphatic, no epithelium, low cell density

Question 13

which types of collagen do different types of cartilage contain

Answer 13

hyaline - mainly type 2
fibrocartilage - mainly type 1

Question 14

what is the basketweave collagen structure stabilised by

Answer 14

minor collagen types

Question 15

what is the main proteoglycan?

Answer 15

aggrecan

Question 16

features of aggrecan

Answer 16

monomers of GAG(?)
highly sulphated and acidic

Question 17

when is chondrocyte proliferation only evident

Answer 17

late stage OA - other than that there is no chondrocyte in skeletally mature healthy cartilage

Question 18

arrangement of collagen in articular cartilage at different depths

Answer 18

superficial - parallel to surface
middle - basketweave
deep - perpendicular

Question 19

what is the main difference between osteoarthritis cartilage and aged cartilage

Answer 19

OA cartilage is overhydrated, aged cartilage is dehydrated

Question 20

why does cartilage swell in early OA

Answer 20

minor collagen in basketweave is broken down allowing swelling