Connective Tissue

Question 1

What are the functions of connective tissue?

Answer 1

• Protection
• Storage
• Repair
• Transport
• Supports organs

Question 2

Where is connective tissue derived from?

Answer 2

The mesoderm

Question 3

What are the two main types of connective tissue?

Answer 3

Collagen and elastic

Question 4

What 3 components make up connective tissue?

Answer 4

Fibres, cells and matrix

Question 5

What is the appearance of collagen?

Answer 5

• White
• Thick
• Generally unbranched

Question 6

What is the appearance of elastic tissue?

Answer 6

• Yellow
• Thin
• Branched

Question 7

What cell produces collagen fibres? How do they do this?

Answer 7

Fibroblasts

pro-collagen —> tropocollagen —> collagen

Question 8

What is an example of a dense and regular collagen connective tissue?

Answer 8

Tendons

Question 9

What is an example of a dense and irregular collagen connective tissue?

Answer 9

Dermis (skin)

Question 10

What is the structure of collagen?

Answer 10

• 3 chains of alpha helices coiled around each other

- Rich in glycine and proline

Question 11

Which amino acids is collagen rich in?

Answer 11

Glycine and proline

Question 12

What is required for the formation of collagen?

Answer 12

Vitamin C

Question 13

How many genes are typically involved in the formation of collagen?

Answer 13

34

Question 14

What type of collagen is the major component of bone, tendons and skin? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

Answer 14

Type I

Long, branched fibres

Question 15

What type of collagen is the major component of basement membranes? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

Answer 15

Type IV

Sheet-like fibres

Question 16

What type of collagen is the major component of anchoring fibrils in the basement membrane? What is the arrangement of these fibres like?

Answer 16

Type VII

Short fibrils

Question 17

What cells produce elastic fibres?

Answer 17

Fibroblasts

Question 18

Which protein do elastic fibres contain? Is it hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

Answer 18

Elastin - hydrophobic

Question 19

What protein is elastin often bound with?

Answer 19

Fibrillin

Question 20

Example of where elastic cartilage is found and its function

Answer 20

Epiglottis - flap made of elastic cartilage covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the entrance of the larynx. Protects airways

Question 21

What can be used to stain elastic fibres?

Answer 21

Weigert’s stain

Question 22

Are fibroblasts active? What is the appearance of their nucleus? What is the contents of their cytoplasm? Where is an example they are found?

Answer 22

• Yes
• Large, round, euchroamtic nucleus
• Lots of rough endoplasmic reticulum
• Umbilical cord

Question 23

Are fibrocytes active? What is the appearance of their nucleus? What is the contents of their cytoplasm? Where is an example they are found?

Answer 23

• No
• Small, flat, heterochromatic nucleus
• Little rough endoplasmic reticulum
• Tendons

Question 24

What are adipocytes?

Answer 24

Fat cells. They make up fat tissue

Question 25

What are the two types of fat? Which is more common?

Answer 25

- White fat - more common | - Brown fat

Question 26

Which types of fat generates heat?

Answer 26

Brown fat

Question 27

Which type of fat is active?

Answer 27

White fat

Question 28

What organelle do adipocytes have in large proportions? Why is this?

Answer 28

- Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - To produce lipids that fill the cytoplasm

Question 29

What cells produce the matrix of connective tissue? What is the main component of this matrix?

Answer 29

- Fibroblasts | - Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Question 30

What main structural feature of GAGs allows them to support connective tissue?

Answer 30

They are highly negatively charged - Causes attraction of Sodium (and other +ve ions) - Draws water in to make matrix turgid and gel-like

Question 31

What association do GAGs have with protein?

Answer 31

Can form proteoglycans by binding with them

Question 32

Why is hyaluronic acid unique among GAGs?

Answer 32

Doesn't contain any sulphate

Question 33

Examples of GAGs

Answer 33

- Hyaluronic acid - Heparan sulphate - Keratan sulphate - Chondroitin sulphate

Question 34

Where can hyaluronic acid be found?

Answer 34

Cartilage, synovial fluid

Question 35

Where can heparan sulphate be found?

Answer 35

Lung, basement membrane, liver

Question 36

Where can keratin sulphate be found?

Answer 36

Cartilage, intervertebral discs

Question 37

Where can chondroitin sulphate be found?

Answer 37

Bone, blood