Connective Tissue

Question 1

What are the functions of connective tissue? (6)

Answer 1

CONNECTS, TRANSPORTS (diffusion medium), PROTECTION (provides a cushion and insulation), STORAGE (fats), DEFENCE (against infection) and WOUND HEALING

Question 2

What are the 4 basic types of tissue?

Answer 2

Epithelial, muscle, nerve and connective

Question 3

What are the 6 specialised types of connective tissue?

Answer 3

Adipose, Lymphatic, blood, haemopoietic, cartilage and bone

Question 4

What does general connective tissue (CT proper) consist of?

Answer 4

Cells, Fibres and ground substance

Question 5

What are the 3 types of fibres found in connective tissue?

Answer 5

Collagen, reticular and elastin

Question 6

How is collagen produced?

Answer 6

Fibroblasts secrete procollagen which is converted into collagen outside the cells. The collagen molecules then aggregate together to form collagen fibrils, which group together to form collagen fibres.

Question 7

What are the types of fixed cells found in connective tissue? (6)

Answer 7

Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, melanocytes, adipocytes and mesenchymal stem cells

Question 8

What are the wandering cells found in connective tissue? (5)

Answer 8

Leucocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes

Question 9

What do fibroblasts do?

Answer 9

Synthesise and secrete ground substance, procollagen and fibres.

Question 10

What is the function of reticular fibres?

Answer 10

Provides a supporting framework

Question 11

What is reticular fibres made of?

Answer 11

Type III collagen

Question 12

What is ground substance?

Answer 12

Viscous, clear fluid

Question 13

What is ground substance composed of?

Answer 13

Proteoglycans

Question 14

What is loose connective tissue composed of?

Answer 14

Lots of cells and ground substance. Sparse collagen fibres.

Question 15

What is dense connective tissue composed of?

Answer 15

Few cells (only fibroblasts present) or ground substance. Lots of collagen fibres densely packed.

Question 16

What are the 2 types of dense CT?

Answer 16

Regular and irregular

Question 17

What is the structure of regular dense CT?

Answer 17

Collagen fibres are arranged in parallel bundles which densely packed fibroblast cells between bundles. Therefore, they can withstand stress from one direction.

Question 18

Where is regular dense CT found?

Answer 18

In tendons, ligaments and aponeurosis

Question 19

Where is loose CT found?

Answer 19

Beneath epithelia, around small blood vessels (where pathogens can get in)

Question 20

What is the structure of irregular dense CT?

Answer 20

Bundles of collagen fibres arranged in various directions so can withstand stress from various directions

Question 21

Where is irregular dense CT found?

Answer 21

In the dermis

Question 22

What conditions results in a lack of vitamin C?

Answer 22

Scurvy as procollagen production requires vitamin C and so there is a poor bone formation without it.

Question 23

What are the roles of elastin fibres?

Answer 23

Allows tissues to stretch and recoil

Question 24

Where do you find elastin fibres?

Answer 24

At the dermis, artery walls and lungs

Question 25

What condition results from abnormal type 1 collagen?

Answer 25

Osteogenesis imperfecta

Question 26

What are elastin fibres composed of?

Answer 26

Elastic fibres but itself enfolds and is surrounded by microfibrils called fibrillin.

Question 27

How would elastin fibres appear on a TEM?

Answer 27

Elastin fibres are amorphous (no clear shape/form)

Question 28

What condition arises due to an abnormality in the fibrillin gene?

Answer 28

Marfan’s syndrome

Question 29

What are the symptoms of marfan’s syndrome?

Answer 29

Sufferers are abnormally tall, exhibit arachnodactyly, have frequent joint dislocation and can be at risk of catastrophic aortic rupture.