3. connective tissue

what are 6 examples of Connective Tissue?

• Adipose Tissue

• Tendon

• Ligament

• Cartilage

• Bone

• Blood

all connective tissues consist of

• cells

• extraceullar matrix

variation in connective tissues is due to

• cell = type + function

• matrix = qualities + volume relative to cells

extracelluar matrix

is a

gel-like watery substance that surrounds the outside of cells

Extraceullar Matrix

contains 2 things

• Protein Fibers

• Ground Substance

What are the 3 protein fibers?

• Collagen

• Elastin

• Reticular

Ground Substance

is

the watery substance itself that holds a good amount of body’s water

Cytosol

is

gel-like watery substance inside the cell that holds the organeles

What are the 3 types of Connective Tissue ( CT )?

• Fibrous CT

• Supportive CT

• Fluid CT

Fibrous Connective Tissue

includes what 2 types?

• Loose Tissue

• Dense Tissue

What’s the main protein fiber present in fibrous connective tissues?

collagen fiber

 _{( tough + flexible + resists stretching )}

what other cells are present in fibrous connective tissue?

• macrophages + leukocytes + plasma cells

• adipocytes

• fibroblasts

macrophages + leukocytes + plasma cells

will

help with immune response to protect the organ + tissue

what tissue are they more abundant in?

loose connective tissue

Adipocytes

are also known as

fat cells

adipocytes ( fat cells ) group together to form

adipose tissue

adipose tissue

will

provide insulation + energy storage

fibroblasts

will

produce

• protein fibers ( collagen, elastin, reticular )

• ground substance

of connective tissue’s extracellular matrix

notice

it’s present in BOTH

• loose connective tissue

• dense connective tissue

Loose Connective Tissue

structure?

ground substance fills up more space than cells

+ loosely packed fibers

What are the 3 types of Loose Connective Tissue?

• Areolar

• Adipose

• Reticular

Areolar Connective Tissue

Areolar Tissue

will

connects + supports organs and tissues to provide flexibility 

what’s an location example of areolar tissue?

it anchors epithelial tissue of skin to structures under it

Adipose Connective Tissue

review

Adipose Tissue contains fat that will

provide insulation + energy storage

Reticular Connective Tissue

Reticular Tissue

will

provides structural framework for organs

• especially in the immune system 

what’s an location example of reticular tissue?

it creates the stroma ( soft internal framework that holds things ) of lymph nodes

Dense Connective Tissue

structure?

tightly packed fibers fill up more space than ground substance + cell together 

Dense Connective Tissue

makes up

• tendons

• ligaments

Dense Connective Tissue is more dense because it’s GOAL is to

have strength to transfer force between shorting muscle with bone.

so they don’t hold as many immune defender elements as loose tissue they focus on being tough instead

What are the 3 types of Dense Connective Tissue?

• Regular

• Irregular

• Elastic

Regular Dense Connective Tissue

Regular Dense Connective Tissue

is structured with

abundant parallel collagen fibers

~ in a wavy line pattern going in one direction ~

Regular Dense Connective Tissue

strength?

strong in the one direction it pulls in

_{( weak and would likely tear in other direction )}

Regular Dense Connective Tissue

example?

• tendons

• ligaments

Irregular Dense Connective Tissue

Irregular Dense Connective Tissue

is structured with

non-parallel collagen fibers

{ in irregular patterns }

Irregular Dense Connective Tissue

strength?

withstands forces from many different directions

Irregular Dense Connective Tissue

example?

dermis of skin

→ can get pulled in many directions

Elastic Dense Connective Tissue

Elastic Dense Connective Tissue

is structured with

abundant elastic fibers

( more than collagen fibers )

Elastic Dense Connective Tissue

strength?

highly flexible

• can stretch + recoil

Elastic Dense Connective Tissue

example?

Lungs / Heart’s Blood Vessels

→ can stretch and collapse back

Supportive Connective Tissue

includes

• cartilage

• bone

Cartilage

what’s the qualities of it’s matrix?

flexible + rubbery matrix

what are the 3 types of cartilage?

• Hyaline

• Elastic

• Fibrocartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

is made of

fine collagen fibers

→ makes it very smooth!

review

Hyaline Cartilage

role is to

cover surfaces of articulating bones to prevent friction

review

What are 2 location examples for Fibrocartilage?

• intervertebral discs

• pubic symphysis

Fluid Connective Tissue

includes

Blood

why blood?

its ground substance is plasma! carries the formed elements

• transports certain dissolved matter and cells around

Blood is considered a connective tissue because it meets the defining characteristics of connective tissues, despite being quite different from the typical examples like bone or cartilage. Here’s why:

1. Origin: Blood, like other connective tissues, originates from mesodermal cells during embryonic development. It’s produced in the bone marrow, which is a connective tissue structure.

2. Cells and Extracellular Matrix:

   • Cells: Blood contains various types of cells like red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes), all suspended in plasma.

   • Extracellular Matrix (ECM): Instead of the solid ECM found in other connective tissues like bone or cartilage, blood’s ECM is liquid, and it’s called plasma. Plasma consists of water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products.

3. Function: One of the key roles of connective tissues is to transport and support, and blood does just that. It transports nutrients, gases (like oxygen and carbon dioxide), hormones, and waste products. It also plays a role in immune response and clotting, which are essential functions that connect it to other tissues in the body.

In summary, despite its fluid nature, blood fulfills the structural and functional roles typical of connective tissue, including providing support and linking various parts of the body.