Connective Tissue (CT) Flashcards
connective tissue (ct)
most diverse, abundant, widely distributed, and structurally varied of the 4 main tissue types (support, protect, and bind organs, “glue”)
mesoderm
blood, tendons, ligaments, bonds, and cartilage
adipose tissue (body fat)
what are the 3 protein fibers?
collagen, elastic, reticular
strengthen and support
collagen fibers
long, strong, and flexible cables, most abundant protein in human body (white fiber)
elastic fiber
needs more movement, thinner than collagen, smaller, stretch easily and go back to resting length (walls of blood vessels)
reticular fibers
thin, interwoven mesh, in organs
properties of areolar connective tissue
loose CT (mobiliity)
structure: all 3 types of protein
function: loosely attaches things together
papillary layer of dermis
properties of adipose connective tissue
loose CT (fat tissue, mobility)
structure: adipocytes (fat cells)
functions: cushion organs, store energy
subcutaneous fat
properties of cartilage
supporting ct (helps structure body)
structure: chondrocyte (mature cartilage cell)
3 types: hyaline (glassy, strong, ribs to breast bone), elastic (flexible, ear), fibrocartilage (strongest, in between each vertebrae)
properties of bone
supporting ct
osteoblast (make new), osteoclast (break down bone), osteocytes (mature bone cells)
types of bone: compact (dense, strong, durable), spongy (not as strong, lighter, coarse looking)
function: support, protection, nutrient storage
properties of fluid connective tissue
fluid ct refers to blood and lymph
blood consists of: plasma (liquid portion, mostly water), erythrocytes (red blood cells, rbc, gas transport), leukocytes (white blood cells, wbc, immune function), platelets (clotting cells)