connective tissue - AI gen'd Flashcards
What is connective tissue not found on?
Body surfaces
Unlike epithelia, connective tissue is not located on the surfaces of the body.
What is the nerve supply status of connective tissue?
Has nerve supply, except for cartilage
Cartilage does not have a nerve supply.
Is connective tissue vascular?
Yes, except for cartilage and tendons
Cartilage has no blood supply and tendons have very little blood supply.
What are the main components of connective tissue?
Cells + extracellular matrix (ECM)
List the general functions of connective tissue.
- Structure and support for other tissues
- Immune response
- Main bodily method of transport
- Main source of energy stores
- Protects and insulates internal organs
- Compartmentalises structures
Blood is a fluid connective tissue and adipose tissue is a source of energy storage.
What is the ECM composed of?
Ground substance (GS) + protein fibres
The ECM is the material that fills the spaces between the widely spaced cells of connective tissue.
What is the composition of ground substance?
H2O + proteins + sugars
sugars are polysaccharides
What are glycosaminoglycans (GAGS)?
Long, unbranched polysaccharides
GAGS are sometimes referred to as mucopolysaccharides.
What forms when a GAG binds to a core protein?
Proteoglycan
Proteoglycans are essential components of the ground substance.
What are the two types of GAGs?
- Sulphated
- Non-sulphated (e.g., hyaluronic acid)
Sulphated GAGs bind directly to core proteins, while non-sulphated GAGs do not.
What is hyaluronidase?
Enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid
Fill in the blank: The ECM in cartilage is firm but _______.
Pliable
Fill in the blank: The ECM in bone is hard and _______.
Inflexible
Where is dermatan sulphate found?
Skin, tendons, blood vessels, heart valves
What does chondroitin sulphate support?
Cartilage, bone, skin, blood vessels
Where is hyaluronic acid found and what is its function?
Fills out eyeball, lubricates joints
