The Tissues of the Body: Connective Tissue Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 3 key features of connective tissue?
A
1.) It binds, supports, and strengthens other body tissues
2.) A major transport system of the body
3.)A major site of stored energy reserves
2
Q
True or false - blood is not a connective tissue
A
False
3
Q
True or false - Fat/adipose tissue is a connective tissue
A
True
4
Q
What are the 2 main differences between epithelia and connective tissue?
A
1.) CT is NOT found on the bodies surface
2.) CT can be highly vascular (exceptions: cartilage and tendons)
5
Q
What is a similarity between epithelia and connective tissue?
A
CT is supplied by nerves (Exception: cartillage)
6
Q
Why is cartilage the only connective tissue that does not have nerves?
A
It is not ideal to have a sensitive nerve structure in the middle of joints that are being compressed all the time as you walk
7
Q
What is the equation for connective tissue?
A
CT = ECM + Cells
8
Q
What does ECM stand for?
A
Extracellular Matrix
9
Q
What is ECM made up of?
A
Ground substance
Protein fibres
10
Q
What is the equation for what makes up ECM?
A
ECM = GS + Fibres
11
Q
What do the cells of the ECM secrete?
A
Protein fibres
12
Q
True or false - the structure of the ECM largely dictates the connective tissue qualities
A
True - eg bone is hard and inflexible, cartilage it is firm but pliable
13
Q
What is GS (Ground substance) made up of?
A
Water
Proteins (gelatin in jelly)
Polysaccharides (sugars)
14
Q
What is the primary content in GS?
A
Proteins (gelatin)
15
Q
What is the equation for the general makeup of GS?
A
H20 + proteins + polysaccharides = GS
16
Q
What are GAG’s?
A
Sugars such as Glycosaminoglycans or Mucopolysaccharides
17
Q
What are Glycosaminoglycans?
A
Type of sugar. Used interchangeably with GAG’s or mucopolysaccharides
18
Q
What are mucopolysaccharides?
A
Type of sugar. Used interchangeably with GAGS or Glycosaminoglycans
19
Q
What is a proteoglycan made up of?
A
GAG’s join with core proteins to form proteoglycans
20
Q
What is a proteoglycan?
A
A protein
21
Q
What is a GAG?
A
Long unbranched polysaccharide (poly=multi, saccharide=sugars) (multiple sugars)
22
Q
What are Glycosaminoglycans called with they combine with a protein?
A
Proteoglycan (proteo = protein, gylcan = GAGS/sugar)
23
Q
Name the 4 sulphated GAG’s
A
Dermatan Sulphate
Heparin Sulphate
Keratan Sulphate
Chondroitin Sulphate
24
Q
True or false - dermatan, heparin, keratan, and chondroitin sulphate cannot link to a protein to form a proteoglycan
A
False - All of them can bind with a protein to form proteoglycans
25
What is an example of a non-sulphated GAG?
Hyaluronic acid
26
True or false - Hyaluronic acid does NOT bind to protein to form a proteoglycan
True
27
True or false - Hyaluronic acid can become associated with proteoglycans
True - they don't covalently bond just associate
28
Describe the relationship between GAGS, proteins, Proteoglycans, Hyaluronic acid, water, and cartilage
GAGS come together with proteins to form proteoglycans, proteoglycans associate themselves with Hyaluronic acid to form a "bottle brush" structure. Water is attached to this brush, which can then act as lubricant for joints and cartilage. Also acts to help with cushioning of joints (like a sponge with water)
29
Describe the appearance and function of Hyaluronic acid
Viscous slippery substance that binds cells together. Lubricates joints, provides cushioning (also helps maintain shape of eyeball)
30
What produces Hyalurondaise?
White blood cells
Sperm
Bacteria
31
What enzyme can white blood cells, sperm, and bacteria release?
Hyalurondaise
32
What is the function of Hyaluronidase?
Makes it easier for cells, sperm, or bacteria to move through the body. This enzyme (hyaluronidase) gets released that chew up hyaluronic acid to make a path (makes it go liquid. This makes it easier to access certain parts of the body.
33
What is chondroitin sulphate, and its relationship with GAG's?
Supports and provides the adhesive features of cartilage, bone, skin, and blood vessels. Combines with GAG's to make a proteoglycan
34
Where is Chondroitin, Keratan, and Dermatan Sulphate found?
In the ground substance
35
What is Keratan Sulphate, and it's relationship with GAG's
A protein located within Ground substance. Can be found in bone, cartilage, cornea of the eye. Combines with GAG's to form a proteoglycan
36
What is chondroitin sulphate, where is it found, and what is it's relationship with GAG's?
It is a protein that is found within the ground substance. It's function is to support and provide the adhesive features of cartilage, bone, skin, and blood vessels. Combines with GAG's to form a proteoglycan.
37
What is Dermatan Sulphate, where is it found, and what is it's relationship with GAG's?
It is a protein that combines with GAG's to form a proteoglycan. It is found it the GS of skin, tendons, blood vessels, and heart valves.
38
True or false - you can sometimes get abnormal ECM ground substance
True
39
What is an example of abnormal ECM ground substance?
Exopthalmus
40
What is Exopthalmus?
An autoimmune over activation of the thyroid. Swollen thyroid causes ECM behind eyes to swell, causing eyes to bulge.
41
What is ECM made up of?
GS + Fibres
42
What are the 3 different types of connective tissue fibres within the ECM?
Collagen Fibres
43
What are the 3 different types of connective tissue fibres within the ECM?
Collagen Fibers
Reticular Fibers
Elastic Fires
44
What are the 3 different types of connective tissue fibers within the ECM?
Collagen Fibers
Reticular Fibers
Elastic Fires
45
Describe the features of Collagen fibres within the ECM
Very strong but flexible
Features can vary depending on where it is located. E.g Mre water around collagen in cartilage than in bone
46
Describe the features of Collagen fibres within the ECM
Very strong but flexible
Features can vary depending on where it is located. E.g More water around collagen in cartilage than in bone
47
True or False - Collagen makes up 25% of your body and is the most abundant protein
True
48
Where are collagen fibres most likely to be found?
Bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
49
What does collagen look like?
Looks like strands of hair arranged in parallel bundles.
50
What are reticular fibres made up of?
Composed of collagen with a coating of glycoprotein (a sugar + protein mix)
51
True or false - glycoprotein has more sugar than protein
False - it has more protein than sugar
52
True or false - collagen is arranged in fine bundles with a coating of glycoprotein?
True
53
What creates reticular fibres?
Fibroblasts
54
What is a fibroblast?
A cell within connective tissue that produces collagen and other fibres
55
What is the function of reticular fibres?
Provides strength and support
56
True or false - reticular fibers form part of the basement membrane
True
57
True or false - Reticular fibers are thin and branching and spread throughout tissue
True
58
Do reticular fibres form networks in vessels?
Yes
59
What vessels and tissues do reticular fiber form networks in?
Tissues such as adipose tissue, nerve fibres, smooth muscle tissues
60
Describe elastic fibers
Thinner than collagen fibers
61
What protein is located within elastic fibres?
Elastin
62
What is the function of the glycoprotein fibrillin with elastic fibres?
Surrounds the elastic fibers and elastin to give more strength and stability.
63
How far can elastic fibers be stretched before they break?
Can be stretched 150%
64
Where are elastic fibres found?
Found in skin, blood vessels, and lungs.
65
Why is elastic fibers important in places such as the lungs, skin, or blood vessels.
When stretched, elastic fibers restore to the way they were (elastic recoil). This is important for places like the lungs which are constantly expanding and deflating.
66
What causes Marfan Syndrome?
It is a hereditary defect in elastic fibres usually resulting from a dominant mutation in a gene on chromosome 15 which codes for fibrillin
67
What is fibrillin?
A glycoprotein which is essential for the formation of elastic fibres found in connective tissue
68
What secretes fibirillin?
Fibroblasts
69
What does Marfan Syndrome produce that causes the disease?
Body produces growth factor Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFb)
70
What is TGFb? And what does it do?
Transforming Growth Factor Beta - said to be the cause of Marfan syndrome - it increases growth because it does not bind normally to fibrillin to keep it inactive (theory)
71
What does an individual with Marfans syndrome look like?
Usually tall, long limbed, and often with a chest deformity (protruding or collapsed sternum).
72
What is the life span for someone with Marfan syndrome?
They have a normal lifespan however need to be vigilant with their BP
73
Why do people with Marfan syndrome need to be vigilant with their BP?
They may have weakened heart valves and arterial walls, which can be life threatening
74
How often does Marfan Syndrome occur within the population?
1 in every 20,000 births
75
What are the 2 most common type of connective tissue cell types?
Fibroblasts and Adipose (fat cells)
76
Where are Fibroblasts found?
Widley distributed in connective tissues: migratory
77
Where are adipose (fat cells) found?
Under skin and around the cells
78
What is the function of the fibroblasts?
Secrete components of the ECM (fibres and ground substance)
79
What is the function of the Adipocytes?
Store fat (triglycerides)
80
What are some other cells (beside fibroblasts and Adipocytes) found in solid CT?
Macrophages
Plasma Cells
Mast cells
Leucocytes
81
What is a Phagocyte?
A cell that take in and breaks down foreign material - eg bacteria, dust, carbon, etc.
82
True or False - Macrophages are phagocytic?
True
83
What is an alternate name for Microphages?
Histiocytes
84
What is the function of Plasma cells and what creates them?
B-lymphocyte creates them, and is involved in producing antibodies to ward off infections (lymphatic system)
85
What is Histamine?
A compound that is released by cells in response to injury and in allergic and inflammatory reactions, causing contraction of smooth muscles and dilation of capillaries.
86
What is the function of Mast cells?
To produce histamine to dilate vessels
87
Describe the relationship between Mast cells, Histamine, and injuries.
When an injury occurs, mast cells produce histamine to contract smooth muscles and dilate capillaries - it is an immune response
88
Where are mast cells found?
Alongside blood vessels
89
What is a neutrophil?
White blood cell
90
What are leucocytes?
White blood cells
91
What are the 2 Sub-classifications of Connective Tissue
Embryonic and Mature
92
What are two types of embryonic connective tissues?
Mesenchyme and Mucous
93
What is the function of mesenchyme?
Mesenchyme is the origin of all mature connective tissues. It is the first type of tissue to form within the embryo. clusters of it are scattered throughout adult tissue ad supply the cells needed for replacement and repair after a connective tissue injury.
94
What are embryonic connective tissues?
They are present primarily within the embryo for the 1rst 2 months and then in the fetus from the 3rd month of pregnancy
95
What is Mesenchyme consisting of?
Mesenchymal cells.
96
Describe the structure of mesenchymal cells?
Consists of connective tissue cells in a semi-fluid ground substance containing reticular fibres.
97
What is the function of Mucous CT?
Support of the umbilical cord of the fetus.
98
Describe Mucous connective tissue
Widely spread fibroblasts embedded in jelly-like substance that contains collagen fibres
99
What does mature connective tissue arise from?
Mesenchyme cells
100
What are the 5 types of Mature connective tissue?
Loose connective tissues
Dense connective Tissues
Cartilage
Bone Tissue
Liquid Connective tissue
101
What is the most common Subtype of Loose connective tissue?
Areolar Connective Tissue
102
What are the 3 subtypes of loose connective tissue?
Areolar Connective Tissue
Adipose Connective Tissue
Reticular Connective Tissue
103
What are the 3 types of fibres present within Loose CT?
Collagen, Reticular and Elastic
104
Where is Loose CT found?
Widely distributed around almost every structure like a packing material.
105
What is the function of Loose (areolar) CT?
Strength, Elasticity, and support
106
What type of CT is Areolar CT?
Loose (many cells, fewer fibres)
107
What type of tissue is Adipose connective tissue?
Loose (many cells, fewer fibres)
108
What is an adipocyte?
A cell specialized for the storage of fat, found in connective tissue.
109
What is the structure of Adipose connective tissue?
Adipose dominant
Central triglyceride droplet - stores fat in one single location
110
What is a triglyceride?
Fat
111
What is Adipose connective tissue found?
Found wherever areolar connective tissue is located - they are friends!
112
What is the function of adipose connective tissue?
Insulation (fat keeps heat in)
Energy source (burning fat for energy)
Temperature control (generates heat in infants for proper heat control)
113
What is White adipose tissue?
The predominant form of tissue within adults - when adults gain weight white adipose tissue is added. More blood vessels form with increase of white adipose tissue which can cause high blood pressure.
114
Why is Brown Adipose tissue darker then white adipose tissue?
Due to the very rich blood supply and numerous pigmented mitochondria that participate in aerobic cellular respiration.
115
True or False - Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is widespread in the fetus and infant - adults only have small amounts
True
116
Describe Loose Reticular CT
Fine interlacing network of fibres (thin form of collagen fibres) and reticular cells.
117
Where are Loose Reticular CT found?
Stroma (supporting framework) of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, reticular lamina of basement membrane.
118
What is the Greek meaning of the word "Stroma"
Layer bed, bed covering
119
What is a stroma?
Part of a tissue or organ with a structural or connective role
120
What is the function of Loose Reticular CT?
Forms stroma of organs, binds smooth muscle tissue cells, filters and removes worn out blood ells in spleen and microbes in lymph nodes
121
True or false: Dense connective tissue is made up of more cells, fewer fibres
False - more fibres, fewer cells
122
What is a subtype of dense connective tissue?
Regular connective tissue
123
Describe the function of dense regular connective tissue
Provide strong attachment between various structures. Makes up/forms tendons (muscle to bone), ligaments (bone to bone), and aponeuroses (muscle to muscle).
124
Why are collagen fibres slow healing?
No cells within collagen, aren't a living tissue as they are protein structures secreted by fibroblasts, so take longer to heal.
125
Describe dense irregular connective tissue
Collagen fibres usually arranged irregularly with a few fibroblasts
126
Describe the function of irregular dense connective tissue
Provides tensile (pulling) strength in many directions.
127
Describe dense elastic connective tissue
Predominantly elastic fibres with fibroblasts between fibres.
128
Where is dense elastic connective tissue found?
Lungs, elastic arteries, trachea, bronchial tubes, vocal chords etc
129
Describe the function of dense elastic connective tissue
Allows stretching of various organs. Is strong and can recoil to original shape after being stretched. Important in places where stretching without breakage is needed
130
Name the 3 types of mature connective tissue
Connective tissue proper, fluid connective tissue, and supporting connective tissue
131
What falls under the umbrella of a supporting connective tissue?
Cartilage and bone
132
Describe cartilage
Dense network of collagen and elastic fibres
133
Describe Hyaline cartilage
It is a abundant, but relatively weak however resilient gel in which fibres are present but not obvious. It contains a lot of collagen
134
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
Anterior ends of ribs, respiratory cartilage such as the nose, trachea, and bronchi
135
What is the main function of hyaline cartilage?
Provides smooth surfaces for movement at joints, as well as flexibility and support. It is the weakest type of cartilage.
136
What are chondrocytes?
Cells of mature cartilage (Chondro = cartilage)
137
What is perichondrium?
A covering of dense irregular connective tissue
138
Describe Fibrocartilage
Chondrocytes scattered among clearly visible thick bundles of collagen fibres within the ECM. Lacks pericondrium
139
Where is fibrocartilage located?
Located at pubic symphysis (where hip bones join anteriorly), intervertebral discs, menisci of knee, portions of tendons that insert into the knee
140
Describe Elastic cartilage
Chondrocytes in a threadlike network of elastic fibres within extracellular matrix: periochondrium present
141
Where is elastic cartilage located?
Lid on top of the larynx, part of external ear, auditory tubes
142
What is the function of elastic cartilage?
Provides strength and elasticity; maintains shape of certain structures
143
What is another name for bone tissue?
Osseous tissue
144
What is another name for osseous tissue?
Bone tissue
145
Describe the structure of bones
Bones are organs composed of several connective tissue types including bone tissue (which is either compact or spongy)
146
Describe compact bone tissue
Is the outer layer of bone and forms the shaft bones.
147
What else is compact bones know as?
Cortical bone
148
What is compact bones comprised of?
Many rod-shaped units known as either osteons or haversian systems
149
Describe spongy bones
Porous inner bone tissue that lies underneath compact bone
150
What is spongy bone also known as?
Cancellous bone
151
True or false - spongy bone lacks osteons
True
152
True or false - compact bone contains osteons
True
153
What is the function of compact bones
Stores calcium and phosphorus, as well as providing protection and support
154
True or false - spongy bones has osteons
False - spongy bones LACKS osteons
155
Describe the function of spongy bone
Stores triglycerides (yellow bones marrow) and produces blood cells (red bones marrow)
156
What are the 4 cell types found within bones
Osteogenic cells
Osteoblasts
Osteocytes
Osteoclasts
157
What are osteogenic cells?
Mesenchymal stem cells that develop, start to lsy down collagen, become trapped and become osteoclasts
158
What are osteoblasts?
Bone forming cells. Lay down more collagen, mineralization processes start
159
What are osteocytes?
Mature bones cells derived from osteoblasts trapped within the extracellular matrix. Maintain bone tissue. Involved in exchange of nutrients and wastes. Have GAP junctions
160
What are osteoclasts?
They are large, multinucleated cells formed from the fusion of blood monocytes to break down and reabsorb bone
161
Name the 4 parts of Osteon
Lamellae
Lacunae
Canaliculi
Central (haversian) canal
162
Where are osteons alligned?
Osteons are aligned along lines of stress (eg long axis of bone shaft)
163
Describe Lamellae
Concentric rings inside of the osteon
164
What are lamellae made up of?
Mineral salts for hardness (eg calcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide which form hydroxyapatite) and collagen (for tensile strength)
165
What are lcaunae?
Small spaces between lamellae that contain mature bones cells (osteocytes)
166
Describe canaliculi
Minute canals that radiate from lacuna and provide routes for oxygen, nutrients, and waste
167
What is located inside of the haversian canal?
Blood, lymph, and nerves
168
What is the function of osteoclasts?
They break down and reabsorb dead bone
169
What is the function of chondroblasts?
Laydown hyaline cartilage callus
170
What is the function of osteoblasts?
Lay down new bone
171
What is the function of osteoclasts?
Remodel new bone
172
What is a fluid connective tissue?
Blood
173
What is the structure of blood as a fluid connective tissue?
Consists of blood plasma (a liquid ECM) and formed elements (red cells, white cells, and platelets)
174
What is the function of Erythrocytes?
Transport Oxygen and carbon dioxide
175
What is the function of different leukocytes?
Combating disease?
176
What is considered a leukocyte?
Eosinophil, Basophile, Neutrophils, monocytes, T-lymphocytes, and B-lymphocytes.
177
Monocytes are also known as...?
Macrophages?
178
True or false - neutrophils and monocytes are phagocytic, engulfing bacteria.
True - they work together to combat bacteria
179
What releases substances (eg histamine) to intensify the inflammatory response?
Basophils (mobile) and mast cells
180
What are Eosinophils most affective against?
Parasitic worms and acute allergic responses
181
True or false - lymphocytes are involved in the immune response
True
182
What are platelets responsible for?
Clotting
