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Cell Bio Exam 2 > Cartilage > Flashcards

Cartilage Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

What are 3 components of cartilage?

A

Cells
Fibers
ECM

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2
Q

Why is cartilage classified as a specialized connective tissue?

A

unique physical characteristics: firm but pliable

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3
Q

What are chondroblasts?

A

cartilage-forming cells

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4
Q

What do chondroblasts produce?

A

Molecules of ECM (proteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans) AND fibers embedded in matrix

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5
Q

When does a chondroblast become a chondrocyte?

A

when the chondroblast becomes trapped in the matrix it has produced, it is called a chondrocyte

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6
Q

Does cartilage have its own blood vessels or lymphatic cessels?

A

NO
Cartilage is avascular
*relies on diffusion of nutrients from surrounding tissues for nourishment
*also lacks nerve fibers

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7
Q

What are the three types of cartilage? (based on fiber type)

A

Hyaline
Elastic
Fibrocartilage

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8
Q

Why does Hyaline look glassy?

A

It contains fine collagen fibrils that are invisible with routine staining, thus the cartilage looks glassy

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9
Q

What contributes to the elastic property of elastic cartilage?

A

Elastic fibers

-It also contains fine collagen fibrils

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10
Q

What gives fibrocartilage its tensile strength?

A

Prominent parallel collagen bundles

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11
Q

What is the most common type of cartilage?

A

Hyaline

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12
Q

What is the appearance of hyaline cartilage in its fresh state?

A

Glassy, whitish-blue

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13
Q

Where is hyaline cartilage located? (3 places)

A

1) In places where it maintains a lumen/ space open [semi-flexible support]
2) At articular surfaces of bones
3) At epiphyseal “growth” plates of growing bones

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14
Q

What are chondrification centers and from what do they form?

A

Chondrification centers are future cartilage sites

Mesenchymal cells [star-shaped] retract their cell processes and become round-shaped cells

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15
Q

What do chrondroblasts do and from what do they form?

A

Chondroblasts synthesize ECM

Mesenchymal cells differentiate into chrondroblasts

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16
Q

What are lacunae?

A

“bubbles” within the matrix which contain trapped chondroblasts/chondrocytes

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17
Q

Tell me about isogenous groups

A

Chondrocytes divide to form genetically uniform progeny in isogenous groups

These new cells will synthesize ECM and become isolated from each other

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18
Q

Who is responsible for interstitial growth of cartilage?

A

chondrocytes

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19
Q

Where do fibroblasts come from?

A

During development, mesenchymal cells surrounding the cartilage differentiate into fibroblasts

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20
Q

What do fibroblasts form?

A

Dense collagenous connective tissue, the FIBROUS outer layer of the perichondrium

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21
Q

What is the perichondrium?

A

Connective tissue capsule that covers ONLY hyaline and elastic cartilage

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22
Q

What are the layers of the perichondrium? (2)

A

1) Outer fibrous layer

2) Inner cellular layer

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23
Q

What are the functions of the perichondrium?

A

The perichondrium is protective, supportive, and permits cartilage growth and maintenance

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24
Q

What does the outer fibrous layer of the perichondrium consist of?

A

Dense collagenous connective tissue with type I collagen, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and nerves

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25
What are the functions of the fibrous layer of the perichondrium?
Protection and support
26
What does the inner cellular layer of the perichondium consist of?
Consists of chondrogenic cells that divide and differentiate into chondroblasts and form ECM
27
What is appositional growth in relation to cartilage?
Cartilage grows on the SURFACE of existing cartilage This is known as appositional growth
28
What is the function of the cellular inner layer of perichondrium?
appositional cartilage growth
29
How does cartilage grow?
2 ways appositional and interstitial growth
30
What is the difference between appositional and interstitial growth?
Interstitial growth is expansion from within the cartilage by isogenous groups (possible because cartilage matrix is distensible) Appositional growth is on the surface of the cartilage by cells in the inner layer of the perichondrium
31
Interstitial growth occurs ONLY ( 4 things) ...
1) during the early stages of cartilage formation 2) in articular cartilage 3) in epiphyseal plates 4) deep within the cartilage
32
How does articular cartilage grow?
ONLY interstitial | *No perichondrium so no appostional growth
33
Appositonal growth occurs (3 things) ....
1) in most cartilages 2) throughout the lifespan of the cartilage 3) at the surface of an existing cartilage (added to outer surface of cartilage)
34
Is hyaline cartilage the ideal "cartilage model" for future long bone during bone development?
Thanks for asking! Yes, it is! The ability of hyaline cartilage to grow interstitially and appositionally while providing a semi-rigid support, makes it an ideal "cartilage model"
35
Chondrogenic cells: who did they arise from? and who can they become?
Arise from mesenchymal cells Can differentiate into chondroblasts and osteoprogenitor cells
36
Who do chondroblasts differentiate from?
Mesenchymal cells (in chondrification center) and Chondrogenic cells (in inner perichondrium)
37
What is the function of chondroblasts?
Form matrix and fibers of cartilage
38
Can chondrocytes go back to being chondroblasts?
Yes
39
What does the hyaline cartilage matrix consist of?
1) Proteins (mainly type II collagen) 2) Proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and extracellular fluid 3) Hyaluronan molecules
40
Describe the attachments to a hyaluronan molecules.
Each hyaluronan molecule has many proteoglycan monomers attached to it A proteoglycan monomer has 180 GAGs attached to a core protein Hyaluronan is woven into a mesh with collagen to give cartilage its resilience and shock absorbing capabilities
41
Collagen is what % of the dry weight of cartialge?
40%
42
60-80% of the wet weight of cartilage is ....
intercellular water bound by proteoglycan aggregates
43
Cartilage volume is 95% ........ and 5% ...........
95% ECM and 5% Cells
44
What is the capsular (pericellular) matrix?
Intensely-stained thin layer of matrix immediately around the lacuna * contains highest concentration of sulfated proteoglycans, hayaluronan and glycoprtns * contains fine collagen fibers forming a woven capsule AROUND EACH chondrocyte
45
What is the territorial matrix?
lightest staining matrix surrounding isogenous groups * contains lower concentration of sulfated proteoglycans than capsular thus lighter stain * contains collagen
46
What is the interterritorial matrix?
Represents the majority of the matrix | Fills the space around the territorial matrix
47
What percentage of the cartilage matrix is water?
60-80% | -high hydration allows diffusion of nutrients
48
What is fibronectin and what is its function?
An adhesive glycoprotein Assists chondroblasts and chondrocytes to adherer to the ECM
49
3 key facts about hyaline cartilage
1) Avascular (no arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels) 2) Lacks nerve fibers 3) Resists force (tension, compression)
50
Where is elastic cartilage located? (4 places)
1) Pinna of ear 2) Internal and external auditory tubes 3) Epiglottis 4) Larynx
51
What fibers are withing elastic cartilage?
Collage type II and elastic fibers
52
Who has more and larger chondrocytes- hyaline or elastic cartilage?
Elastic
53
Where are elastic bundle fibers prominent?
In the territorial matrix of elastic cartilage
54
Which matrix calcifies with aging- hyaline or elastic?
Hyaline
55
What is fibrocartilage?
A transition form between dense connective tissue and hyaline cartilage Contains type I collagen (acidophilic)
56
Does fibrocartilage have a perichondrium?
NO
57
Where is fibrocartilage located?
Where tough support and tensile strength is necessary EX: IV discs, pubic symphysis, articular discs, menisci of knee joint, attached to bone at junction b/w bone and tendon
58
What is the orientation of chondrocytes within fibrocartilage?
Groups or parallel rows Alternating with thick bundles of collagen that are parallel to stress on tissue
59
Do fibroblasts become chondrocytes?
YES- by secreting proteoglycans and surrounding themselves with matrix Who else becomes chondrocytes? chondroblasts
60
What is osteoarthritis? What cartilage is affected?
"degenerative joint disease" caused by the breakdown of hyaline cartilage at weight bearing joints With age, GAGs in ECM modify and decrease in water content -> cartilage thins and eventually wears away leaving bone on bone action

Cell Bio Exam 2 (9 decks)

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