Tissues of the Body : Connective Tissue Flashcards
What are the two components of connective tissue?
CT is made up of extracellular matrix and cells
What are the two types of connective tissue?
Embryonic and mature
What the functions of connective tissue?
Binds, supports strengthens body structures. Transport system of body - blood. Sites of stored energy reserves - adipose tissue
Is CT vascular or avascular?
CT is vascular unlike epithelial tissue meaning it contains blood vessels
Does CT have a supply of nerves?
Yes, All CT contain nerves except cartilage
Is CT found on body surfaces?
No
What are the components of the ECM?
Ground substances and Protein Fibres
What are the components of ground substances?
Water. Protein. Polysaccharide (Glycosaminoglycans. GAGs)
What are glycosaminoglycans?
GAGS are long unbranched polysaccharides made up of amino sugar and uronic sugar (disaccharides). There are two types: sulphated and non-sulphated
What are proteoglycans?
Formed by the long polysaccharide chains binding to core proteins. These molecules have lots of sugar and less protein
What is hyaluronic acid?
Type of non-sulphated GAGS therefore not bound to a core protein. Highly polar therefore can attract and trap water becoming sort of slippery. Viscous slippery substances that binds cells together
What is the function of hyaluronic acid?
Lubricates joints. Maintains shape of the eyeball
What is hyaluronidase?
Enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. Produced by sperm, white blood cells and bacteria. It allows species to navigate connective tissue by making ground substance more liquid.
What is chondroitin sulphate?
Type of sulphated GAGS that supports and provide the adhesive features of cartilage, bone, skin, and blood vessels
What is Keratan Sulphate?
Type of sulphated GAGS that is found in bone, cartilage, cornea of the eye
What is Dermatan Sulphate?
Type of sulphated GAGS that is found in skin, tendons, blood vessels, and heart valves
What is exophthalmos
A disorder related to abnormal causing the bulging of the eyes. Occurs when the immune system attacks tissue in the thyroid gland causing over-activation and production of hormones. The extra hormones stimulate fibroblast in the eye causing an influx of water and pushing eyes forward.
What are the three types of protein fibres?
Collagen fibres, Reticular fibres, and Elastic fibres
What is Collagen fibre?
A protein fibre that makes up the ECM of CT. Strong and flexible allowing to resist pulling forces. Common in bone, cartilages, tendons and ligament.
What is Reticular fibre?
Protein that makes up the ECM of CT. Composed of collagen with coating of glycoprotein. Made by fibroblasts (like reticular lamina of basement membrane). Provides strength and support. Found in basement membrane, vessels, adipose tissue, nerve fibres, smooth muscle tissues
What is elastic fibre
A protein that makes up the ECM of CT. Made up of elastin surrounded by fribillin to give more strength and stability. Found in skin, blood vessels and lungs
What are the symptoms of Marfan Syndrome?
Abnormal growth of limbs cause by defect in fibrillin of elastic fibres. Stability of heart valves and arterial walls decreased.
How is Marfarn syndrome caused?
Hereditary defect on chromosome 15 for the coding of fibrillin, a glycoprotein that usually binds to TFGbs (Transforming Growth Factor beta) regulating growth. Fibrillin cannot bind to TFGbs causing abnormal growth
What is fibrillin?
A type of glycoprotein that makes up elastic fibres along with elastin. It forms a scaffold for elastin and also binds to transforming growth factor betas controlling growth
What are the two most common types of cells tha make up CT?
Fibroblasts and adipocytes
What are fibroblasts?
A cell of CT that secrets components of the matrix (fibres and ground substances). Example: secrets reticular fibres forming reticular lamina of basement membrane). It is widely distributed in CT; migratory
What are adipocytes?
A cell in CT (fat cells) which stores fat (energy reserves). Found under skin and around organs
What are other cells found in solid CT?
Marcophages (Histiocytes)
Plasma cells
Mast cells
Leucocytes
What are Marcophages?
Cells found in solid CT. Phagocytic cells. Fixed and wandering forms, Found at sides of infection, inflammation and injury
What are plasma cells?
Formed from B-lymphocyte. Produces antibodies. Found widely at many CT sites but especially in gut and lung, salivary glands, lymph nodes, spleen, red bone marrow