Connective Tissue Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the functions of connective tissue?

A
  • Protection
  • Storage
  • Repair
  • Transport
  • Supports organs
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2
Q

Where is connective tissue derived from?

A

The mesoderm

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3
Q

What are the two main types of connective tissue?

A

Collagen and elastic

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4
Q

What 3 components make up connective tissue?

A

Fibres, cells and matrix

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5
Q

What is the appearance of collagen?

A
  • White
  • Thick
  • Generally unbranched
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6
Q

What is the appearance of elastic tissue?

A
  • Yellow
  • Thin
  • Branched
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7
Q

What cell produces collagen fibres? How do they do this?

A

Fibroblasts

pro-collagen —> tropocollagen —> collagen

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8
Q

What is an example of a dense and regular collagen connective tissue?

A

Tendons

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9
Q

What is an example of a dense and irregular collagen connective tissue?

A

Dermis (skin)

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10
Q

What is the structure of collagen?

A
  • 3 chains of alpha helices coiled around each other

- Rich in glycine and proline

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11
Q

Which amino acids is collagen rich in?

A

Glycine and proline

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12
Q

What is required for the formation of collagen?

A

Vitamin C

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13
Q

How many genes are typically involved in the formation of collagen?

A

34

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14
Q

What type of collagen is the major component of bone, tendons and skin? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

A

Type I

Long, branched fibres

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15
Q

What type of collagen is the major component of basement membranes? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

A

Type IV

Sheet-like fibres

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16
Q

What type of collagen is the major component of anchoring fibrils in the basement membrane? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

A

Type VII

Short fibrils

17
Q

What cells produce elastic fibres?

A

Fibroblasts

18
Q

Which protein do elastic fibres contain? Is it hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

A

Elastin - hydrophobic

19
Q

What protein is elastin often bound with?

A

Fibrillin

20
Q

Example of where elastic cartilage is found and its function

A

Epiglottis - flap made of elastic cartilage covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the entrance of the larynx. Protects airways

21
Q

What can be used to stain elastic fibres?

A

Weigert’s stain

22
Q

Are fibroblasts active? What is the appearance of their nucleus? What is the contents of their cytoplasm? Where is an example they are found?

A
  • Yes
  • Large, round, euchroamtic nucleus
  • Lots of rough endoplasmic reticulum
  • Umbilical cord
23
Q

Are fibrocytes active? What is the appearance of their nucleus? What is the contents of their cytoplasm? Where is an example they are found?

A
  • No
  • Small, flat, heterochromatic nucleus
  • Little rough endoplasmic reticulum
  • Tendons
24
Q

What are adipocytes?

A

Fat cells. They make up fat tissue

25
Q

What are the two types of fat? Which is more common?

A
  • White fat - more common

- Brown fat

26
Q

Which types of fat generates heat?

A

Brown fat

27
Q

Which type of fat is active?

A

White fat

28
Q

What organelle do adipocytes have in large proportions? Why is this?

A
  • Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - To produce lipids that fill the cytoplasm
29
Q

What cells produce the matrix of connective tissue? What is the main component of this matrix?

A
  • Fibroblasts

- Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

30
Q

What main structural feature of GAGs allows them to support connective tissue?

A

They are highly negatively charged

  • Causes attraction of Sodium (and other +ve ions)
  • Draws water in to make matrix turgid and gel-like
31
Q

What association do GAGs have with protein?

A

Can form proteoglycans by binding with them

32
Q

Why is hyaluronic acid unique among GAGs?

A

Doesn’t contain any sulphate

33
Q

Examples of GAGs

A
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Heparan sulphate
  • Keratan sulphate
  • Chondroitin sulphate
34
Q

Where can hyaluronic acid be found?

A

Cartilage, synovial fluid

35
Q

Where can heparan sulphate be found?

A

Lung, basement membrane, liver

36
Q

Where can keratin sulphate be found?

A

Cartilage, intervertebral discs

37
Q

Where can chondroitin sulphate be found?

A

Bone, blood