Week 1Connective Tissue Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is histology?
The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
What are the four basic tissue types?
Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
What is connective tissue?
Tissue composed of dispersed cells embedded in an extracellular matrix that supports, connects, or separates tissues and organs.
What are the functions of connective tissue?
Structural support, insulation, protection, immune response, energy storage, and transport.
What is the most common cell in connective tissue?
Fibroblasts – they secrete fibres and ground substance.
What do macrophages do in connective tissue?
Engulf bacteria and debris by phagocytosis; part of the immune response.
What is the role of adipocytes?
Store triglycerides and provide protection around organs.
What do mesenchymal cells do?
Act as stem cells, dividing to produce other connective tissue cells after injury.
What is the role of mast cells?
Produce histamine, important in inflammation.
What makes up the extracellular matrix?
Ground substance and protein fibres (collagen, elastin, reticulin).
What is ground substance composed of?
GAGs, glycoproteins, proteoglycans; varies in consistency and aids exchange between blood and cells.
What are GAGs?
Glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, and heparan sulphate.
What are the three types of connective tissue fibres?
Collagen (strength), Elastin (stretch/recoil), Reticulin (support/structure).
What is the difference between loose and dense connective tissue?
Loose has more ground substance and fewer fibres; dense has many fibres (mostly collagen).
Name three types of loose connective tissue.
Areolar, adipose, and reticular.
What are characteristics of areolar connective tissue?
Least specialized, absorbs shock, surrounds blood vessels and nerves.
Where is reticular connective tissue found?
Liver, lymph nodes – forms 3D stroma that supports parenchyma.
What is unique about adipose tissue?
Provides insulation, shock absorption, and contains adipose-derived stem cells.
What is dense regular connective tissue?
Collagen fibres aligned parallel; found in tendons and ligaments.
What is dense irregular connective tissue?
Interwoven collagen fibres with no consistent pattern; found in skin, organ capsules.
Where is elastic tissue found?
Walls of blood vessels, airways, and elastic ligaments in the vertebral column.
What is mesenchyme?
The first connective tissue to appear, contains stem cells for all connective tissue types.
Where is mucous connective tissue found?
In the umbilical cord – also known as Wharton’s Jelly.
What causes scurvy?
Vitamin C deficiency affecting collagen synthesis.
