Connective tissue

Question 1

What is connective tissue?

Answer 1

Tissues that provide structure, strength and support

Question 2

What are the 3 properties of connective tissue?

Answer 2

1. Tensile strength (collagen)
2. Elasticity (elastin)
3. Volume (ground substance)

Question 3

What is the ECM made up of?

Answer 3

Fibres and ground substance

Question 4

What is the ECM produced by?

Answer 4

Support cells

Question 5

What do fibres contribute to ECM?

Answer 5

Tensile strength, elastic recoil and defined structure

Question 6

What is ground substance made of?

Answer 6

Glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins

Question 7

What does ground substance contribute to ECM?

Answer 7

Hydration
Diffusion
Fibre cross-linking
Resistance to compression

Question 8

What is type I collagen?

Answer 8

Main structural collagen. forms skin, tendons, ligaments and bone

Question 9

What is another name for type II collagen?

Answer 9

Hyaline cartilage

Question 10

What does hyaline cartilage make up?

Answer 10

Nose and larynx

Question 11

What does type III collagen make up?

Answer 11

Liver, bone marrow, lymphoid organs

Question 12

What is another name for type III collagen?

Answer 12

Reticular collagen

Question 13

What is the function of elastin fibres?

Answer 13

Allow tissues to respond to stretch and distension

Question 14

What causes skin ageing?

Answer 14

Reduced density of collagen and elastin

Question 15

What is the function of fibroblasts?

Answer 15

Secrete, maintain and recycle ECM

synthesise and secrete GAGs, collagen, elastin and other ECM parts

Question 16

What is the main fibre in CT and how is it made?

Answer 16

Collagen fibres- secreted by ECM to form tropo-collagen monomer

Question 17

What is ground substance?

Answer 17

semi-solid gel that provides volume and compression resistance