connective tissue

Question 1

what is the function of connective tissue

Answer 1

• forms supporting framework fro body

- binds together body cells and tissue

Question 2

what is connective tissue composed of

Answer 2

• living cells
• ecm
  there are different forms of connective tissue with different physical properties

Question 3

what are three way connective tissue is categorised as

Answer 3

• loose
• dense
• specialised

Question 4

where is loose connective tissue found and what is its role

Answer 4

• found throughout the body
• composed of fine fibres of collagen and elastin is embedded in a ground substance
• it is a soft tissue used for spacing and packing
• it also connects the muscle layer and skin an eg. adipose tissue - contain fat cells

Question 5

what is the major cell found in connective tissue

Answer 5

• fibroblasts

Question 6

structure of dense connective tissue

Answer 6

• contain large collagen fibres which provide strength to the tissue
• as there are lots of collagen fibres it means there is very little ground substance
• due to the compact arrangement of collagen fibres resists stretching
• dense connective tissue comprises of ligaments and joints which connect bone to bone

Question 7

structure and function of specialised connective tissue

Answer 7

• have a very specialised function which has a direct result on structure and function of ecm
• examples inc. bone, enamel, dentine

Question 8

what are the 2 groups of cells in connective tissue and their roles

Answer 8

• structural cells
  for synthesis and maintenance of structural components
• defence cells
  for non specific defence reactions

Question 9

what are 4 examples of structural cells (make ecm)

Answer 9

• fibroblasts
• adipocytes (fat cells)
• bone cells (osteocytes)
• chondrocytes (cartilage cells)

Question 10

fibroblasts

Answer 10

• make collage and other ecm components and maintain it

Question 11

adipocytes

Answer 11

• have protective and thermoregulatory functions
• storage of fats
• insulation/ protection
• supporting tissue eg. beneath the skin providing smooth body outline

Question 12

what are mesenchymal cells (MSCs)

Answer 12

• they are indistinguishable from fibroblasts
• can differentiate into new connective tissue
• present in small numbers

Question 13

what are two type of defence cells and their role

Answer 13

• macrophages
  motile cells that engulf foreign materials eg bacteria.
• neutrophils or lymphocytes
  present during inflammatory reactions

Question 14

2 main components ecm made up of

Answer 14

• fibres

- ground substance (semi solid gel)

Question 15

what are the two main fibres found in ecm

Answer 15

• collagen fibres
  high tensile strength, made of protein collagen
• elastin fibres
  low tensile strength, high elasticity

Question 16

what is ground substance made from

Answer 16

• semi solid gel
• made of protein and fluid
• many em proteins are a complex nature of long chain molecules with side chains

Question 17

3 examples of proteins with side chains

Answer 17

• proteoglycans - carbohydrate side chain - hydrophilic
• glycoproteins - protein core with sugar side chain
• long carbohydrate chain - no protein core, long chains of glycosaminoglycans (GAG)

Question 18

the specialised nature of ecm components

Answer 18

• give specific mechanical properties eg cartilage

Question 19

main feature of cartilage

Answer 19

• it is avascular

Question 20

what are 4 types of cartilage

Answer 20

• hyaline cartilage
• fibrocartilage
• elastic cartilage
• hypertrophic cartilage

Question 21

what type of collagen fibres are hyaline cartilage made from

Answer 21

• hyaline cartilage characterised by dense ecm rich in collage type 11 fibres and ground substance

Question 22

what cells are embedded in the ecm as a sparse amount

Answer 22

• chondrocytes

- responsible for maintaining the ecm

Question 23

where is hyaline cartilage found

Answer 23

• covers the surface of bones in synovial joint = articular cartilage
• hyaline cartilage is main component of nasal septum and c shaped rings found in trachea - prevents wall of trachea collapsing

Question 24

what are the function of articular cartilage

Answer 24

• provide a smooth, near frictionless surface to enable gliding motion and being a shock absorbed to protect the bones from forces generated when eg walking

Question 25

what is fibrocartilage made of

Answer 25

• dense orderly arrangement of thick interlaced collagen type 1 fibres
• very little ground substance compared to hyaline cartilage
• found in the intervertebral discs
• fibrocartilage also comprises the articular disc found in the tmj

Question 26

elastic cartilage

Answer 26

• properties of elasticity
• ground substance and collagen fibres
• contains a network fo fibres of elastin which enable elastic cartilage to have a rigid but elastic framework
• main function to provide and maintain shape when tissue is twisted

Question 27

hypertrophic cartilage

Answer 27

• it is an essential intermediate tissue in bone formation

Question 28

four functions of bone

Answer 28

• provide support for body
• protection of internal organs
• protects bone marrow
• mineral store

Question 29

two types of bone

Answer 29

• cortical/compact
  dense, v strong, forms the outer layer of all bone
• trabecular/cancellous
  weak, porous meshwork