exam 1 Flashcards
What is the purpose of connective tissue?
forms metabolic and structural connections
what are the four major classes of CT?
- CT proper
- cartilage
- osseus (bone)
- blood
what makes connective tissue?
- ECM
- vascularity
- make structural elements (ground substance, extracellular fibers, cells)
what is the ECM?
the substance found between cells that provides support and nourishment
the extracellular matrix is the mixture of _____ and _____.
extracellular fibers; ground substance
what are the three types of extracellular fibers?
collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers
what is the function of extracellular fibers?
provides support and structure to the connective tissue
extracellular fibers are the ______ component of ECM.
fibrous
ground substance is the ______ component of ECM.
jelly-like or liquid
what are the three types of extracellular fibers?
collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers
collagen fibers - structure
strong, thick strands composed of collagen organized in long parallel fibers
collagen fibers - function
provide tensile strength for resistance against pulling forces
where are collagen fibers found?
tendons and ligaments
what is the structure of elastic fibers?
branched, complex fibers of elastin in coiled bundles
what is the function of elastic fibers?
they can stretch and contract without losing integrity
where are elastic fibers found?
vocal cords, lungs, skin, and blood vessels
what is the structure of reticular fibers? what is it composed of?
net-like; thin, delicate branched fibers composed of collagen and coated in glycoprotein
what is the function of reticular fibers?
they provide support around complex organs
where are reticular fibers found?
endocrine glands, liver, nerves, muscle fibers, capillaries
what are the three structural elements of connective tissue?
ground substance, extracellular fibers, and different types of cells
what are connective tissue cells?
fundamental cell types at various stages of growth
what is a fibroblast?
a non-specified, general type of cell that builds connective tissue
what is a chondrablast?
the cell responsible for building cartilage
what is an osteoblast?
the cell type responsible for building bone
what are mezenchymal stem cells?
non-specified stem cells that can become any other cell type
what is a hematopoietic stem cell?
immature cell type
what are adipocytes?
fat cells
what response are mast cells responsible for?
inflammatory
what are the properties of CT?
- cell “poor”
- ECM “rich”
- vascular
- most are dense/rigid in structure (some are fluid and flexible though)
- all derived from mezenchymal stem cells
what is the overall function of CT?
to connect, protect, and support
what are the four major classes of CT?
- CT proper
- cartilage
- bone
- blood
what are the two types of CT proper?
- loose
- dense
what is the function of loose CT proper?
to support the structure it surrounds; joins together the cells of the other main tissue types and joins tissues into organs
what is the most widely distributed CT type?
loose CT proper
what are the three subclasses of loose CT?
areolar, adipose, and reticular
what is the structure of areolar CT?
most plentiful, loosely organized, liquid, and very dense
what is the function of areolar CT?
wraps and cushions organs
what fiber types are found in areolar CT?
elastic, collagen, and reticular
what cell types are found in areolar CT?
fibroblasts, WBC, mast cells, and macrophages
where is areolar CT found?
across the body
what is the structure of adipose CT?
fat tissue; large, bubble-like, small amount of matrix
what is the function of adipose tissue?
contains reserve food stores, insulates, supports, protects, and stores energy
what fiber types are found in adipose CT?
elastic, collagen, reticular
what cell types are found in adipose CT?
adipocytes
where is adipose CT found in the body?
under skin, around kidneys, within abdomen, in breast tissue, surrounding joints, on surface of heart, behind eyes
what is the structure of reticular CT?
net-like fiber network/framework
what is the function of reticular loose CT?
form structural support for complex structures
what fiber types are found in reticular loose CT?
only reticular
what cell types are found in reticular loose CT?
fibroblasts, WBC, mast cells, and macrophages
where is reticular loose CT found?
spleen, liver, lymph nodes, blood vessels, bone marrow
what is the structure of dense CT?
highly fibrous, little vascularity, very dense
what is the function of dense CT?
to reinforce and bind body structures
what are the three types of dense CT?
regular, irregular, and elastic
what is the structure of regular dense CT?
minimally vascular, fibers lie in direction of force
what is the function of regular dense CT?
improves tensile strength
what fiber types are found in regular dense CT and how are they arranged?
tightly bound collagen fibers with few elastic fibers
what is the major cell type found in regular dense CT?
fibroblasts
where is regular dense CT found in the body?
facia, tendons, and ligaments