Connective Tissue

Question 0

Describe reticular tissue

Answer 0

Collagen type III. Absorbs silver, network arrangement, framework of lymphoid tissues and the liver

Question 1

What are the main functions of connective tissues?

Answer 1

Provide substance and form, provide a medium for diffusion, attach muscle to bone and bone to bone, cushion between tissues and organs, defend against infection, aid in injury and repair

Question 2

Describe areolar connective tissue

Answer 2

Loosely arranged fibro-elastic connective tissue. Submucosa contains immune cells. Contains both fibroblasts and macrophages

Question 3

Describe loose connective tissue

Answer 3

Forms stroma of many organs, mucous connective tissue - transient. Umbilical cord contains Wharton’s jelly - soft, jelly-like substance with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid. Delicate mesh of collagen I and collagen II

Question 4

Describe dense regular connective tissue

Answer 4

Fibre bundles parallel, maximum tensile strength, ligaments are bundles of fibres, less regularly arranged than tendons

Question 5

Describe dense irregular connective tissue

Answer 5

Interwoven bundles of collagen - criss cross in many directions to counter act multi-directional forces. Form the capsules, large sept and trabeculae of many organs.

Question 6

Describe proteoglycan

Answer 6

Monomer. Hyaluronic acid linear aggregates - interwoven with a network of collagen fibres. High density of negative charges on GAGs attracts water - hydrated gel

Question 7

Describe dense connective tissue

Answer 7

Connects epidermis tissue of the skin to the underlying tissue (dermis). Close packing of fibres, less ground substance, provide mechanical support - principle component of tendons, ligaments etc

Question 8

What is contained in the ground substance?

Answer 8

Proteins, glycoproteins, GAGs, lipid, water, hyaluronate, proteoglycan aggregates.

Question 9

Describe adipose tissue

Answer 9

Unilocular fat cells are white. Brown adipose - rich vascularisation, abundant mitochondria

Question 10

Describe types of collagen fibres

Answer 10

Type 1: Fibrils aggregate to form fibres and fibre bundles. Type 2: don’t form fibres. Type 3: formed around muscle and nerve cells. Type 4: unique - present in basal lamina

Question 11

Describe mesenchymal cells

Answer 11

Cytoplasmic processes - tapering appearance, viscous ground substance in extracellular matrix. Can differentiate into a variety of different cells.

Question 12

Describe mast cells

Answer 12

Contain heparin, histamine and substances that attract eosinohils and neutrophils. Used in hypersensitivity reactions