lecture 2 [tissue level of organization_connective tissue] Flashcards
characteristics of connective tissue
- cells (variety of types, and cells within the tissue aren’t necessarily attached to one another)
- protein (collagen, elastic, or reticular fibers)
- ground substance (mixture of proteins and carbohydrates with variable amounts of salts and water)
extracellular matrix
protein fibers + ground substance
connective tissue function
- protection
- binding structures together
- support and structural frames
what are loose connective tissues?
fewer fibers, more ground substance
areolar loose connective tissue structure
structure: fibroblasts, elastic fibers, collagen fibers, ground substance
areolar loose connective tissue function
function: packs around and binds organs
areolar loose connective tissue location
location: surrounding nerves, vessels, and subcutaneous layer
neutrophil
nerve tissue runs tightly packed in loose muscle tissue; areolar tissue reduces pressure placed on this tissue throughout the body
adipose loose connective tissue structure
adipocytes
adipose loose connective tissue function
protects, stores fats, insulates
adipose loose connective tissue location
subcutaneous layer, surrounding select organs (like the heart and kidneys)
reticular loose connective tissue structure
reticular fibers, ground substance
reticular loose connective tissue function
stroma of lymphatic organs
reticular loose connective tissue location
spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow
what is dense connective tissue
more fibers, less ground substance (more solid and supportive, less protective)
regular dense connective tissue structure
collage fibers, fibroblast nuclei groundspace
regular dense connective tissue function
unidirectional strength and flexibility, weak in any other direction
regular dense connective tissue location
tendons (muscle to bone) and ligaments (bone to bone)
describe the collagen fibers in regular dense connective tissue
tightly packed, all running in the same direction with no open space
irregular dense connective tissue structure
collage fibers (not unidirectional), fibroblast nuclei, ground substance
irregular dense connective tissue function
tensile strength in all directions
irregular dense connective tissue location
dermis of skins, some capsules of organs
elastic dense connective tissue structure
elastic fibers, ground substance (looks similar to regular ct)
elastic dense connective tissue function
tensile strength in all directions