Connective Tissues Flashcards
what is the function of connective tissue
for binding, support, protection, energy storage and transport
what are characteristics of connective tissue
connective tissue is vascular with the exception of CARTILAGE
widely scattered cells within a MATRIX that consists of GROUND SUBSTANCE and PROTEIN FIBERS
contain good nerve supply
DO NOT have an apical/free surface
what are the components of the matrix in connective tissue
protein fibers that include collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers that vary in numbers
ground substance
what does the ground substance do
it binds cells together and usually determines the characteristics of tissue
watery ground substance - transport
stiff ground substance - support
what is the most common type of ground substance that gives almost an egg white consistency
hyaluronic acid
how are protein fibers produced
through fibroblasts
what type of function does the protein collagen give in connective tissues
it is tough and flexible
what type of function does the protein elastin give in connective tissues
makes elastic fibers in connective tissues and gives elasticity (stretchiness) and strength
what type of function do the reticular fibers give in connective tissues
is the networking fibers
it provides the framework for organs that include the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and trachea
why would a connective tissue need to have fibroblasts in its matrix
so it can make the necessary fibers for function
what do macrophages do
macrophages perform as phagocytes. they perform phagocytosis to bacteria and other unwanted substances
What are mast cells and what do they do
mast cells are cells that aid in the inflammation response
mast cells release histamine or heparin
these cells are responsible for swelling, redness, and other inflammation responses
what are adipocytes and what do they do
adipocytes are fat containing cells
they store fat as an energy source, insulation and as protection
what is the difference between connective tissue and epithelial tissue
epithelial tissue is avascular while connective tissue is vascular
both contain nerve endings
T/F
connective tissue supplies nutrients to the basement membranes of epithelial tissue
True
_________ can differentiate into most other connective tissue cells or remain as star-shaped cells in tissue. they are predominant in embryonic connective tissue and almost absent in adults
mesenchymal cells
mesenchyme’s
the embryonic skeleton is primarily made of ______ cartilage and in adults it is primarily only in your nose, larynx, trachea, and bronchi
hyaline cartilage
what are the scattered cells in the mesenchyme
stem cells
what makes up the matrix of mesenchymal cells
very fine collagen fibers and stem cells
what do mesenchymal cells do
create multiple tissues in embryos as they develop
what is loose connective tissue
connective tissue where the fibers are “loose” or scattered
what is areolar tissue and where can you find it within the body
areolar tissue is tissue that provides lose padding and support
you can find areolar tissue under the basement membrane of epithelial tissues and is often referred to as the packing material of the body
what type of fibers are in the matrix of areolar tissue and what is the ground substance
the ground substance is hyaluronic acid and the fibers within the matrix include collagen fibers, elastic fibers and reticular fibers
what is adipose tissue and where can it be found
adipose tissue is subcutaneous tissue that surrounds organs
adipose tissue is found where areolar tissue is found. typically under it
adipose tissue can either be white or brown fat