Connective tissue

Question 1

What are examples of connective tissues and what do they do?

Answer 1

Bone, Ligament, Fat (Protect and insulate organs), Blood (transport)

Connective tissue binds and supports other tissues

Question 2

What is the most basic structure of connective tissue/ what makes up connective tissue?

Answer 2

Cells and Matrix

Question 3

What are the 2 main types of cells?

Answer 3

Immature class of cell - ends in BLAST (e.g., osteoblast) - secretes matrix

Mature class of cell - ends in CYTE (e.g., osteocyte) - maintains matrix

Question 4

What two components is the ‘matrix’ made out of?

Answer 4

Ground substance and Protein fibres

The matrix gives each connective tissue unique properties

Question 5

Ground substance: structure + function

Answer 5

Ground substance can be a fluid, gel or solid. It has no specific shape (amorphous). Ground substance is composed of proteoglycans (core protein chains with polysaccharide side chains)

Function: supports cells, binds cells together, medium for substance exchange between blood and cells

Question 6

Name the 2 types of protein fibres and each of their structure and function

Answer 6

Elastic fibres (flexibility) - elastin protein, can be stretched 150% of relaxed length without breaking (instant noodle structure)

Collagen fibres (strength) - collagen protein, arranged in bundles for strength, allows some flexibility as it’s not taut (curly wurley structure)