Introduction to connective tissues (wk1)

Question 1

Name the 4 types of tissue

Answer 1

Nervous, connective, muscle, epithelial (which lines hollow organs and body cavities)

Question 2

Connective tissue
-Description, examples, functions

Answer 2

-It is the most abundant and widely distributed tissue
-Examples; bone, ligament, fat, blood
-Functions;
1. Bind and support other tissues e.g. ligament and bone
2. Protect and insulate organs e.g. fat
3. Transport nutrients e.g. blood

Question 3

Name the 2 types of cells

Answer 3

1. BLAST
2. CYTE

Question 4

BLAST Cells description

Answer 4

-BLAST cells -> Immature class of cell
-Examples; Bone-Osteoblast and Cartilage-Chondroblast
-It secretes the matrix

Question 5

CYTE Cells description

Answer 5

-CYTE cells -> Mature class of cell
-Examples; Bone-Osteocyte and Cartilage-Chondrocyte
-Maintain the matrix

Question 6

What is the matrix?

Answer 6

-The matrix make-up gives each type of connective tissue unique properties
-Protein fibres are embedded in ground substance

Question 7

What is ground substance?

Answer 7

-Can be fluid, gel or solid
-Composed of proteoglycans; core protein chain and Polysaccharide sidechains
-Amorphous (no specific shape)
-Purpose;
1. Support cells
2. Bind cells together
3. Act as a medium for substance exchange between blood and cells

Question 8

Protein fibres description

Answer 8

-Elastic fibres -> Allow flexibility
-Collagen fibres -> Allow strength

Question 9

Collagen fibres description
(look like a curlywurly)

Answer 9

-Consists of protein (collagen)
-Very tough and resistant to tension (pulling) forces
-Often arranged in bundles, giving great strength
-Still allow some flexibility because not taut (relaxed)

Question 10

Elastic fibres description

Answer 10

-Consists of protein (elastin)
-Can be stretched 150% of relaxed length without breaking

Question 11

Connective tissue categories

Answer 11

1st level -> Connective tissue
2nd level -> Connective tissue proper + Specialised connective tissue
3rd level -> Connective tissue proper includes; loose connective tissue + dense connective tissue. Specialised connective tissue includes; cartilage, bone and blood

Question 12

Cartilage categories

Answer 12

Cartilage is found in the specialised connective tissue category of connective tissue
-It includes;
1. Hyaline cartilage e.g. ends of bones
2. Fibrocartilage e.g. discs in spine
3. Elastic cartilage e.g. ears

Question 13

Cartilage -> Hyaline cartilage description

Answer 13

-Covers articular surfaces at joints
-Reduces friction
Absorbs shock

-Label ground substance; resilient gel, fine collagen fibres and chondrocytes on diagram (27/09)

Question 14

Cartilage -> Fibrocartilage description

Answer 14

-Forms discs and rings between joints e.g. spinal discs
-Great strength, some elasticity
-Can resist considerable pressure
-Example : Intervertebral disc

-Label chondrocytes and matrix (etc) on diagram (27/09)

Question 15

Dense connective tissue categories (found in connective tissue proper)

Answer 15

1. Dense regular CT e.g. ligament and tendon
2. Dense irregular CT e.g. joint capsule
3. Elastic CT e.g. lungs

Question 16

Dense connective tissue -> Dense regular CT description

Answer 16

-Provides strong attachment between structures
-Examples; ligaments and tendons
-Ligaments -> attach bone to bone, stabilise joints, restrict excessive motion

-Label diagram for matrix and fibroblasts;
1. Collagen fibres in parallel bundles
2. A few elastin fibres
3. Great tensile strength (resists pulling in one direction)

Question 17

Dense connective tissue - Dense irregular CT description

Answer 17

-Provides strength in multiple directions
-Examples; joint capsule, deep fascia
-Joint capsule -> envelope surrounding synovial joint

-Label diagram for fibroblasts and matrix;
1. Collagen fibres randomly arranged
2. A few elastin fibres
3. Strong in multiple directions