Midterm Exam Flashcards
What are the two types of intracellular substances?
Fibrous
Amorphous ground substance
What is the function of fibrous intracellular substances?
Strength and support - polypeptide chains
main type = collagen fibres
What are some morphological aspects of collagen fibres?
white in flesh state
form insoluble tannic acid after treatment with heavy metal - tanning which turns collagen to leathery sheet
three polypeptide chains of procollagen
aggregate to form 1-12 micrometer fibrils
What synthesizes and secretes collagen fibres?
fibroblasts chondrocytes osteoblasts epithelial basement membrane etc
Where are collagen fibres particularly abundant?
ECM, especially connective tissue
Why are collagen fibres so tough?
covalent H-bonds are formed between adjacent rows of molecules
What makes up the majority of tendons?
lined up bundles of collagen
what synthesizes and secrets reticular fibres?
Fibroblasts and other cells
What are some differences between reticular fibres and collagen fibres?
contain more sugar
do not bundle as much as type 1 collagen fibre
What are some morphological features of reticular fibres?
made of type 3 collagen with more sugars
stains with silver
typically 20 nanometer fibrils
stain with periodic acid-schiff (structure rich in sugar)
quite tough due to cross linking (similar to collagen)
What is the function of reticular fibres?
Supportive scaffolding, bridge transition to type 1 collagen
forms a net like support framework –> reticulum
What are the two main components of elastin fibres?
bundles of protein = elastin, rich in proline and glycine
Glycoproteins such as fibrillin which organizes into microfibrils
What are some morphological features of elastin fibres?
Yellow in fresh state
Sheets of fibres and networks
stain darker, thinner and more abundant than collagen which stain lighter and thicker
ribbons of microfibrils usually 1-4 micrometers
what binds ribbons of elastin fibrils covalently?
desmosine
What is the function of elastin fibres?
stretching and distension
Where are elastin fibres found?
Ligaments, larynx and some arteries
What is the purpose of the link between fibrils of elastin fibres?
allows fibrils to maintain their integrity during stretch and recoil
What secretes and synthesizes elastin fibres?
fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells
What are some morphological features of amorphous ground substance?
Viscous, clear, slippery
Viscosity varies with amount of cross linking
altering negative charge can also alter viscosity - lower neg charge in eye than bone in leg
What synthesizes and secretes amorphous ground substance?
fibroblasts
What are the components of amorphous ground substance?
Proteins, glycoproteins and carbs
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) - repeating disaccharide units that are negatively charged and attract water (gel-like, major component)
proteoglycans - glycosaminoglycans attached to proteins
multi-adhesive glycoproteins - fibronectins and laminins which link to cell surface and regulate cell movement
hyaluronic acid - long, rigid, bound to proteins to form proteoglycan aggregates
what is the function of amorphous ground substance?
soft, fluid-like –> aids diffusion of tissue fluids
Firm gel-like –> resists more compression
Where are the different kinds of amorphous ground substances found?
Soft –> tissues, humours of the eye
Gel –> synovial fluid in joints, cartilage
Where is tissue fluid derived from?
Source = blood
hydrostatic pressure at arterial end of capillaries
What does tissue fluid consist of?
Water, salts, nutrients, hormones and oxygen
How is tissue fluid returned?
- Capillary absorption via osmosis and pinocytosis
2. lymphatic absorption - very permeable
What are the four primary tissues?
Epithelium - Cells closely apposed, little ground substance, sheets covering and lining surfaces
Connective tissue - Cells widely spread, variable amount of ECM, abundant collagen fibrils
Muscle tissue - elongated contractile cells, closely associated, skeletal and smooth
Nervous tissue - cells with elongated processes, specialized electrical impulses