Connective Tissue

Question 1

Describe a Connective tissue

Answer 1

• most abundant and widely distributed type of tissue in the body
• Each type of connective tissue consists of Cell + extracellular matrix
• extracellular matrix and consists of protein fibers and ground substance
• highly vascular (has a blood supply) as well as a nerve supply
• the exception is cartilage and tendons (dense regular connective tissue)

Question 2

What is the function of Connective Tissue

Answer 2

• Due to the wide variety it performs many different functions:
• Supports, strengthens and binds tissues together (ligaments and tendons)
• Protects internal organs (bones)
• Divides organs into smaller sections
• Insulates the body and serves as long-term energy reserves (adipose tissue = fat)
• Main location of our Immune responses

Question 3

What is the stem cell of the connective tissue?

Answer 3

Mesenchyme

Question 4

What is the function of fibroblasts?

Answer 4

Secrete fibers and components of ground substance

Question 5

What is the function of white blood cells?

Answer 5

• Provide an Immune response to destroy pathogens
  
  • Macrophages and Neutrophils
    - Engulf bacteria and cellular debris by phagocytosis
  • Plasma cells
    - Secrete specific antibodies that attach to pathogens
  • Mast cells
    - Produce histamine that causes inflammation

Question 6

What is the function of adipocytes?

Answer 6

Store triglycerides (fat) for long-term energy storage

Question 7

What are the three types of fiber?

Answer 7

Elastic, reticular, and collagen

Question 8

Describe elastic fibers and where are they found?

Answer 8

• Found in blood vessels, ears, and lungs
• smaller in size, formed from protein elastin surrounded by glycoprotein (fibrillin)
• Elastic recoil: can be stretched without breaking and return to their original shape after being stretched

Question 9

Describe collagen fibers and where are they found?

Answer 9

-found in about 25% of the body
-Are very large and strong,
resist pulling forces but provide flexibility to the tissue

Question 10

Describe reticular fibers and where are they found?

Answer 10

• found in the spleen and lymph nodes
• Generally form a “net-like” structure throughout the tissue to form a framework for soft organs as well as the basement membrane of epithelial tissues

Question 11

Describe the ground substance

Answer 11

• This is the substance located between the cells and functions to support and bind cells together, store water, and allow exchange of nutrients and waste products between blood and cells
• It varies from a fluid, semi-fluid, gelatinous, or calcified consistency
• It is a complex combination of proteins and polysaccharides

Question 12

What are the three types of loose connective tissue?

Answer 12

-Areolar, Adipose, and reticular

Question 13

Describe areolar or loose connective tissue

Answer 13

Located between the skin and underlying tissue (hyperdermis), can fill with fluid or adipose tissue

Question 14

Describe Adipose tissue

Answer 14

Insulates the body, long-term energy storage and acts as a shock absorber or cushion to protect organs

Question 15

Describe reticular tissue

Answer 15

Forms a net-like structure within soft organs to support the organ or filter substances

Question 16

What are the three types of dense connective tissue

Answer 16

Regular, irregular, and elastic

Question 17

What is the function of dense regular tissue

Answer 17

Contains collagen fibers arranged in organized, parallel strands to provide strong connections between organs like muscles and bones (found in tendons and ligaments)

Question 18

What is the function of dense irregular tissue

Answer 18

Contains collagen fibers are NOT well organized, fibers extend in all directions and provide support and strength to tissues
-found in deep dermis

Question 19

What is the function of elastic tissue

Answer 19

Contains elastic protein fibers that can stretch and recoil

Question 20

What are the three types of cartilage?

Answer 20

Hyaline, fibro, and elastic

Question 21

What is the function of Hyaline cartilage?

Answer 21

-This is the most abundant type of cartilage, generally found at the ends of bones forming a smooth surface for joint movement

Question 22

What is the function of fibrocartilage?

Answer 22

-This is the strongest type of cartilage, containing large amounts of collagen fibers

Question 23

What is the function of elastic cartilage?

Answer 23

-This type of cartilage contains large amounts of elastic protein fibers that give support and helps to maintain the shape of the tissue

Question 24

Describe bone tissue

Answer 24

This is the most dense of the connective tissue types, consisting of a calcified matrix (for strength) and collagen fibers (for flexibility)

Question 25

Describe liquid connective tissue

Answer 25

This is the least dense of the connective tissue types, consisting of a very fluid-like matrix and very few protein fibers and functions to transport substances in the body - blood--> located in blood vessels - lymph --> located in lymphatic vessels

Question 26

Describe nerve tissue

Answer 26

- Cell types -- neurons and neuroglia (supporting cells; more later) - Functional classification: motor, sensory, and interneurons - Structural classification: unipolar, bipolar, multipolar - long cell processes conduct nerve signals

Question 27

What are the three types of muscle?

Answer 27

- skeletal, cardiac, smooth - Skeletal is voluntary and contains adherens and desmosomes - Cardiac and smooth muscle contain gap junctions, adherens, and desmosomes

Question 28

Describe membranes as an organ system

Answer 28

Epithelial layer sitting on a thin layer of connective tissue (the lamina propria = “near layer”) Types of membranes mucous membrane- found in eyes, nose, mouth, prevents pathogens and bacteria from entering the body serous membrane-surround heart (pericardium) surround thoracic cavity (pleural) surround abdominal cavity (periosteom) intestine (mesentary) synovial membrane-- cushions joints cutaneous membrane (skin)-- protects skin

Question 29

Describe membranes as an organ system

Answer 29

Epithelial layer sitting on a thin layer of connective tissue (the lamina propria = “near layer”) Types of membranes mucous membrane- found in eyes, nose, mouth, prevents pathogens and bacteria from entering the body serous membrane-surround heart (pericardium) surround thoracic cavity (pleural) surround abdominal cavity (peritoneum) intestine (mesentery) synovial membrane-- cushions joints cutaneous membrane (skin)-- protects skin