Cell adhesion and the ECM

Question 1

What is the function of fibroblasts?

Answer 1

synthesise collagens, elastin and proteoglycans

Question 2

What is the function of proteoglycans?

Answer 2

provide matrix support

Question 3

What is the structure if glycosaminoglycans?

Answer 3

highly charged with repeating disaccharides

Question 4

How is collagen synthesised?

Answer 4

synthesised in the RER and assembled to form a triple helix

Question 5

What is the function of myofibroblasts?

Answer 5

• secrete collagen
• sythesise actin, myosin and desmin
• reduce tissue damage

Question 6

What is the structure and function of mast cells?

Answer 6

• filled with basophil granules

- release histamine during inflammation and allergic reactions

Question 7

What is the function of plasma cells?

Answer 7

antibody production through the secretory pathway

Question 8

What are the 4 types of cell junctions?

Answer 8

tight junctions
gap junctions
adherens junctions
desmosomes

Question 9

What are focal adhesions?

Answer 9

link the outside of the cell (ECM) to the cytoskeleton through transmembrane proteins

Question 10

What is the cause of Muscular Dystrophy?

Answer 10

a gene mutation which is the absence of an adaptor due to premature termination of translation