Extracellular matrix Flashcards
What is the extracellular matrix?
Any substance produced by cells and secreted into the extracellular space within the tissues
What two main functions does the ECM have?
Structural and motility
What two structural roles does the ECM have?
it provides physical support for cells, and a linkage between different cells or tissues
What two roles regarding cell motility does the ECM provide?
A substrate on which the cells can move, and cues that guide the direction of movement
How are cells usually organised in animals?
Epithelial tissue and connective tissue
Cell contact in epithelial tissue?
Cells are in direct contact with one another
Cell contact in connective tissue?
Cells are not in direct contact with one another
What is the scant ECM made up of?
layers closely bound to one another to form protective sheets
What does the basal lamina do?
Provides a base for the cells to sit on and acts a a molecular sieve and substrate for migrating cells
What cells are scattered through the ECM?
Fibroblasts
What are fibroblasts?
Cells that contribute towards the formation of connective tissue
How is the ECM composed?
Collagen fibres cross-linked by accessory proteins in a matrix of proteoglycans
What are proteoglycans made up of?
proteins and polysaccharides
What kind of substance do collagen fibres form?
A mesh
ECM relationship with plant cells?
All plant cells are surrounded by the ECM
