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Biology 3100 > The tissue level of organization- Connective tissue > Flashcards

The tissue level of organization- Connective tissue Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the components of connective tissue

A
  1. Specialized cells
  2. Extracellular protein fibers
  3. Fluid called ground substance
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2
Q

What are the functions of connective tissues?

A

– Establishing a structural framework for the body
– Transporting fluids and dissolved materials
– Protecting delicate organs
– Supporting, surrounding, and interconnecting other types of tissue
– Storing energy reserves, especially triglycerides
– Defending the body from invading microorganisms

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3
Q

State the categories of connective tissues

A
  1. Connective tissue proper
    * Connect and protect
  2. Fluid connective tissues
    * Transport
  3. Supporting connective tissues
    * Structural strength
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4
Q

State the categories of connective tissue proper

A

– Loose connective tissue
* More ground substance, fewer fibers
* Example: fat (adipose tissue)
– Dense connective tissue
* More fibers, less ground substance
* Example: tendons

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5
Q

What are the cells of connective tissue proper

A

– Fibroblasts
– Fibrocytes
– Adipocytes
– Mesenchymal cells
– Melanocytes
– Macrophages
– Mast cells
– Lymphocytes
– Microphages

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6
Q

Describe Fibroblasts

A

– The most abundant cell type
– Found in all types of connective tissue proper
– Secrete proteins and hyaluronan (cellular ceme

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7
Q

Describe Fibrocytes

A

– Second most abundant cell type
– Maintain connective tissue fibers

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8
Q

Describe Adipocytes

A

– Fat cells
– Each cell stores a single, large fat droplet

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9
Q

Describe Mesenchymal cells

A

– Stem cells that respond to injury or infection
– Differentiate into fibroblasts, macrophages, etc.

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10
Q

Describe Melanocytes

A

– Synthesize and store the brown pigment melanin

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11
Q

Describe Macrophages

A

– Large phagocytic cells of the immune system
– Engulf pathogens and damaged cells
– Fixed macrophages stay in tissue
– Free macrophages migrate

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12
Q

Describe Mast Cells

A

– Stimulate inflammation after injury or infection
* Release histamine and heparin
– Basophils are leukocytes that also contain histamine and heparin

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13
Q

Describe lymphocytes

A

– Migrate throughout the body
– May develop into plasma cells, which produce
antibodies

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14
Q

Describe Microphages

A

– Phagocytic blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils)
– Attracted to signals from macrophages and mast cells

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15
Q

State the three types of connective tissue fibers

A
  1. Collagen fibers
  2. Reticular fibers
  3. Elastic fibers
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16
Q

Describe Reticular fiber

A

– Form a network of interwoven fibers (stroma)
– Strong and flexible
– Resist forces in many directions
– Stabilize functional cells (parenchyma) and structures
– Example: sheaths around organs

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17
Q

Describe Elastin Fibers

A

– Contain elastin
– Branched and wavy
– Return to original length after stretching
– Example: elastic ligaments of vertebrae

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18
Q

What is Ground substance

A

– Is clear, colorless, and viscous
– Fills spaces between cells and slows pathogen
movement

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19
Q

Describe Loose connective tissues

A

– “Packing materials”
– Fill spaces between organs, cushion cells, and support
epithelia

20
Q

Describe embryonic connective tissues

A

– Not found in adults
– Mesenchyme (embryonic connective tissue)
* First connective tissue in embryos
– Mucous connective tissue
* Loose embryonic connective tissue

21
Q

What are the types of loose connective tissues in adults

A
  1. Areolar tissue
  2. Adipose tissue
  3. Reticular tissue
22
Q

Describe the Areolar Tissue

A

– Least specialized
– Open framework
– Viscous ground substance
– Elastic fibers
– Holds capillary beds
* Example: under skin (subcutaneous layer)

23
Q

Describe Adipose Tissue

A

– Contains many adipocytes (fat cells)
* Adipocytes in adults do not divide
– Expand to store fat
– Shrink as fats are released
* Mesenchymal cells divide and differentiate
– To produce more fat cells
– When more storage is needed
– May be removed (temporarily) via liposuction in cosmetic surgery

24
Q

What is white fat?

A

– Most common
– Stores fat and absorbs shocks
– Slows heat loss (insulation)

25
Q

What is Brown Fat

A

– Found in babies and young children
– More vascularized
– Adipocytes have many mitochondria
– Breakdown of lipids releases energy and warms body

26
Q

Describe the reticular tissue

A

Provides support
– Reticular fibers form a complex, three-dimensional
stroma
– Support functional cells of organs
– Found in liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone
marrow

27
Q

What is another name for dense connective tissue

A

Collagenous tissues

28
Q

What are the three types of dense connective tissue

A

Dense regular
* Dense irregular
* Elastic

29
Q

Describe Dense regular connective tissue

A

– Tightly packed, parallel collagen fibers
* Tendons attach muscles to bones
* Ligaments connect one bone to another and
stabilize organs
* Aponeuroses are tendinous sheets that attach a broad, flat muscle to another structure

30
Q

Describe Dense irregular connective tissue

A

– Interwoven network of collagen fibers
* Provides strength to dermis
* Forms sheath around cartilages (perichondrium)
and bones (periosteum)
* Forms capsules around some organs (e.g., liver,
kidneys, and spleen)

31
Q

What are three layers of fasciae

A
  1. Superficial fascia
    * Separates skin from underlying tissues
  2. Deep fascia
    * Sheets of dense regular connective tissue
  3. Subserous fascia
    * Lies between deep fascia and serous membranes that line body cavities
32
Q

Fluid connective tissue include:

A

blood and lymph

33
Q

Describe the blood

A

Contains a watery matrix called plasma
– Contains cells and cell fragments, collectively known
as formed elements
* Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
* White blood cells (leukocytes)
* Platelets

34
Q

Describe lymph

A

– Forms as interstitial fluid that enters lymphatic vessels
– Monitored by immune system
– Returned to veins near the heart

35
Q

Supporting connective tissue include

A

cartilage and bone

36
Q

What are the types of cartilage and describe

A

▪ Hyaline cartilage
– Most common type
– Tough and somewhat flexible
– Reduces friction between bones
– Found in synovial joints, rib tips, sternum, and trachea
▪ Elastic cartilage
– Supportive but bends easily
– Found in external ear and epiglottis
Fibrocartilage
– Very durable and tough
– Limits movement
– Prevents bone-to-bone contact
– Found around joints, between pubic bones, and between spinal vertebrae

37
Q

The types of cartilage growth are

A

– Interstitial growth
* Enlarges cartilage from within
– Appositional growth
* Growth at outer surface of cartilage

38
Q

Describe the bone

A

For weight support
– Calcified (made rigid by calcium salts)
– Resists shattering (flexible collagen fibers)
– Osteocytes (bone cells) lie in lacunae
* Arranged around central canals within matrix
* Small channels through matrix (canaliculi) allow for exchange of materials with blood
– Periosteum covers bone
* Fibrous (outer) and cellular (inner) layers

39
Q

What is the function of tissue membrane

A

– Physical barriers
– Line or cover body surfaces
– Consist of an epithelium supported by connective tissue

40
Q

What are the four types of tissue membranes

A
  1. Mucous membranes
  2. Serous membranes
  3. Cutaneous membrane
  4. Synovial membranes
41
Q

Describe the mucous membranes?

A

– Line passageways that have external connections
– In digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts
– Epithelial surfaces must be moist
* To reduce friction
* To facilitate absorption or secretion
– Lamina propria is areolar tissue in mucous
membranes

42
Q

Describe the Serous membranes

A

– Line cavities that do not open to the outside
– Thin but strong
– Parietal portion lines inner surface of cavity
– Visceral portion (serosa) covers the organs
– Serous fluid reduces friction

43
Q

What are the different types of serous membranes and describe

A
  1. Peritoneum
    * Lines peritoneal cavity
    * Covers abdominal organs
  2. Pleura
    * Lines pleural cavities
    * Covers lungs
  3. Pericardium
    * Lines pericardial cavity
    * Covers heart
44
Q

Describe the cutaneous membrane

A

– Skin that covers the body
– Thick, relatively waterproof, and usually dry

45
Q

Describe the synovial membranes

A

– Line synovial joint cavities
– Movement stimulates production of synovial fluid for
lubrication
– Lack a true epithelium

Biology 3100 (26 decks)

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