Connective Tissue

Question 1

what are the functions of connective tissue

Answer 1

1. Connect epithelium to the rest of the body (basal lamina)
2. Provide a route for blood supply, lymph and nerves
3. Provide compartments and capsule protection for organs – allow independent
   movement of organs and muscle
4. Provide structure (ligaments, tendons & bone)
5. Store energy (fat)
6. Transport materials (blood, defense cells)
   * CT has no contact with the environment

Question 2

Explain the matrix of connective tissue

Answer 2

• extracellular components of connective tissues (fibres and ground substance) make up the matrix
• makes up the majority of tissue volume
• determines specialized function

Question 3

what does connective tissue proper do

Answer 3

• Connect and protect (adipose, tendons, ligaments)
• Subdivided into loose and dense CT proper

Question 4

what does fluid connective tissues do

Answer 4

Transport (blood and lymph)

Question 5

what does supportive connective tissue do

Answer 5

structural strength (bones, cartilages)

Question 6

what are fibroblasts

Answer 6

• The most abundant cell type:
• found in all connective tissue proper
• secrete proteins and hyaluronan
  (cellular cement, a polysaccharide derivative)

Question 7

what are fibrocytes

Answer 7

• found in all connective tissue proper
  maintain the fibres of connective tissue proper

Question 8

What are Adipocytes (fat cells)

Answer 8

• contains a single, large lipid droplet
• Cell content (nucleus, organelles, cytoplasm) are
  squeezed to side
• Number of adipocytes varies from one type of
  connective tissue to another, from one region of the
  body to the another, and among individuals

Question 9

What are Mesenchymal cells (stem cells)

Answer 9

• Respond to local injury or infection

Question 10

What do melanocytes do

Answer 10

Synthesis and store brown pigment melanin

Question 11

Mast Cells - HISTAMINE

Answer 11

Histamine – released after injury or infection; stimulates local inflammation

Question 12

Mast cells - HEPARIN

Answer 12

anticoagulant that enhances blood flow
during inflammation; reduces the development of blood clots

Question 13

What are lymphocytes

Answer 13

Migrate throughout the body
* Tissue damage causes increase in number
* Some develop into plasma cells which produce antibodies

Question 14

Explain collagen fibres

Answer 14

• Most common fibers in connective tissue proper
• Long, straight, and unbranched
• Strong and flexible – rope like
• Resist force in one direction
• For example, in tendons and ligaments

Question 15

Explain Reticular fibres

Answer 15

• Network of interwoven fibers (stroma)
• Strong and flexible
• Resist force in many directions
• Stabilize functional cells (parenchyma of the spleen) and structures
• For example, in sheaths/capsules around organs

Question 16

Explain Elastic Fibres

Answer 16

• Contain elastin
• Branched and wavy
• Return to original length after stretching
• For example, elastic ligaments of vertebrae

Question 17

Explain Loose Connective Tissue

Answer 17

• Fill spaces between organs
• Support epithelia
• Cushion and stabilise specialised cells in organs
• Surround and support blood vessels and nerves
• Store lipids
• Provide route for diffusion

Question 18

What are the 3 types of loose ct

Answer 18

• Areolar tissue
• Adipose tissue
• Reticular tissue

Question 19

what is areolar ct

Answer 19

• Least specialised connective tissue in adults
• Has an open framework – can distort without damage because its fibres are loosely
  organised
• Contains elastin fibres
• CT just under epithelium of skin
• Allows independent movement of skin and underlying structures (e.g. muscle)
• Capillaries deliver oxygen and nutrients, and remove carbon dioxide and waste
  products

Question 20

what is adipose tissue

Answer 20

• Provides padding, absorbs
  shocks
• Serves as packing or filler
  around structures
• Acts as an insulator to slow
  heat loss through skin
• Role in energy storage

Question 21

what is dense connective tissue

Answer 21

– created mostly from fibres
* Tightly packed with high numbers of collagen or elastic fibers

Question 22

what is dense REGULAR ct

Answer 22

• Tightly packed, parallel collagen fibers
• tendons, ligaments and aponeuroses

Question 23

explain ligaments

Answer 23

• connect bone to bone and stabilize organs

Question 24

explain tendons

Answer 24

• Cords of dense regular connective tissue
• Attach muscles to bones

Question 25

explain aponeuroses

Answer 25

• attach in sheets to large, flat muscles
• Associated with large muscles of the skull, lower back, and
  abdomen

Question 26

Explain dense IRREGULAR ct

Answer 26

• Interwoven networks of collagen fibers with no consistent pattern
• Gives strength to the deep layer of the skin (the dermis)
• Layered in skin
• Around cartilages (perichondrium)
• Around bones (periosteum)
• Form capsules around some organs (e.g., liver, kidneys)