Connective Tissue

Question 1

What are the functions of connective tissue?

Answer 1

Bind and support tissues, insulate and protect organs and they act as a major transport system in the as well as being an important energy store.

Question 2

What are the two elements of connective tissue?

Answer 2

The connective tissue cells and the extracellular matrix. The cells secrete the extracellular matrix and the matrix determine the tissues qualities.

Question 3

Is connective tissue highly vascular?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What are the different types of connective tissue cell?

Answer 4

Fibroblasts, Macrophages, plasma cells, mast cells, adipocytes.

Question 5

What are fibroblasts?

Answer 5

Large flat cells that synthesise fibres.

Question 6

What are macrophages?

Answer 6

A type of white blood cell that devours harmful bacteria.

Question 7

What are plasma cells?

Answer 7

Part of the immune system, they secrete antibodies.

Question 8

What are mast cells?

Answer 8

Involved in inflammatory response and kill bacteria

Question 9

What are adipocytes?

Answer 9

Fat cells: energy storage

Question 10

The extracellular matrix of connective tissues contains three kinds of fibres which are?

Answer 10

Collagen Fibres, Elastic Fibres, Reticular Fibres

Question 11

What are Collagen Fibres?

Answer 11

Strong and flexible fibres arranged in parallel consisting of the protein collagen (most abundant protein in body, around 25% of all bodily protein). They are found all over the body especially in bone, cartilage.

Question 12

What are elastic fibres?

Answer 12

They connect to form a network within a tissue and have amazing elasticity. They consist of the protein elastin and the glyco-protein fibrillin, found in skin and blood vessels.

Question 13

What are reticular fibres?

Answer 13

They are made up of collagen but are much thinner than collagen fibres. They help to form the basement membrane for epithelium tissue and provide support for blood vessels and form a network around fat cells, nerve fibres and muscle cells providing strength and support.

Question 14

What are the three categories of connective tissue and their sub-categories?

Answer 14

Loose connective tissue - ,areolar ct, adipose ct, reticular ct
Dense connective tissue - dense regular ct, dense irregular ct, elastic ct
Cartillage - Hyaline, Fibro, elastic.

Question 15

What is Loose Connective tissue - Areolar?

Answer 15

Connective tissue that contains elastic and collage fibres. Found in subcutaneous layer of skin.

Question 16

What is Loose Connective tissue - Adipose?

Answer 16

Connective tissue with lots of adipocyte cells (fat cells) Found beneath skin and around organs.

Question 17

What is Loose Connective tissue - Reticular CT?

Answer 17

Connective tissue with lots of reticular fibres, found in liver and spleen.

Question 18

What is dense connective tissue - regular?

Answer 18

CT with Lots of collagen fibres and fibroblasts regularly arranged. Help to form tendons and ligaments

Question 19

What is dense connective tissue irregular?

Answer 19

CT with lots of collagen fibres and some fibroblasts irregularly arranged, provides pulling strengh for bones and organs

Question 20

What is dense connective tissue elastic?

Answer 20

CT high in elastic fibres found in lung tissue and allows stretching.

Question 21

What is Hyaline Cartilage?

Answer 21

Most abundant form of cartilage in the body. Contains a resilient gel as ground substance and provides smooth surfaces for movement at joints

Question 22

What is elastic cartilage?

Answer 22

Consists of chondrocytes, with elastic fibres distributed throughout ground substance

Question 23

What is Fibro Cartilage?

Answer 23

Consists of chondrocytes scattered among collagen fibres, found between vertebrae and provides strength and rigidity.