Connective Tissues Notes

Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed of the primary tissues, including ______________, ______________, ______________, and blood.

Four main classes of connective tissue.

All connective tissue arises from an embryonic tissue called _____________.

Mesenchyme.

Each major class of connective tissue has a fundamental cell type that exists in immature and mature forms. Immature cells are called ___________ cells.

'Blasts' cells.

Ground substance is an unstructured gel-like material that fills the space between the cells. It consists of _____________, _____________, ________________ and protein fibers.

Interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, proteoglycans.

Collagen fibers are strong, flexible bundles of the protein ____________, the most abundant protein in your body.

Collagen.

___________ cartilage provides firm support with some pliability, found at tips of long bones, nose, trachea, larynx, and cartilage of the ribs.

Hyaline.

____________ connective tissue contains closely packed bundles of collagen fibres running in the same direction, making up tendons and ligaments.

Dense regular.

Cartilage has a jelly-like extracellular matrix secreted from _____________ (immature cells) and _____________ (mature cells).

Chondroblasts and chondrocytes.

Blood is classified as a connective tissue because it develops from mesenchyme and consists of blood cells and plasma protein fibres surrounded by _____________.

Blood plasma.

The nonliving extracellular matrix in connective tissue supports cells so that they can bear weight and withstand _____________.

Tension.

____________ connective tissue forms the internal mesh-like stroma that supports the lymph nodes, the spleen, and bone marrow.

Reticular.

Mature '______ ' cells are less active and help maintain the health of the matrix.

'Cyte' cells.

Connective tissue _____________ are extremely strong and provide high tensile strength to connective tissues.

Collagen fibers.

____________ connective tissue contains thick bundles of collagen fibres arranged in two or more different directions and is found in the dermis.

Dense irregular.

____________ connective tissue is a richly vascularized tissue that functions in nutrient storage, protection, and insulation.

Adipose.

Cartilage is a highly resilient, molded tissue that consists mostly of _____________ but contains no blood vessels or nerves.

Water.

__________ fibers contain elastin, which allows them to be stretched and to recoil.

Elastic fibers.

The perichondrium is a layer of dense irregular connective tissue that holds the ____________ together and contains blood vessels to supply nutrients.

Cartilage.

The fibrous connective tissue cell that secretes fibers and ground substance is called a _____________.

Fibroblast.

Fat cells that store nutrients are called _____________.

Adipocytes.

__________ blood cells, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes, respond to tissue injury.

White blood cells.

______ connective tissue has an exceptional ability to support and protect body structures due to its hardness, which is determined by collagen fibers and _____________.

Bone and calcium salts.

The extracellular matrix of connective tissues consists mainly of nonliving _____________ that separates the cells of the tissue.

Extracellular matrix.

Common characteristics of connective tissue include _____________, _____________, and _____________.

Common characteristics include a rich supply of blood vessels, a high degree of variability in tissue type, and an extracellular matrix.

The structural elements of connective tissue consist of _____________, _____________, and _____________.

The structural elements consist of cells, fibers, and ground substance.

The types of connective tissue found in the body include _____________, _____________, _____________, and _____________.

The types include loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, cartilage, and bone.

Loose connective tissue primarily serves _____________ and _____________ functions.

Supports and cushions organs.

Adipose tissue primarily functions in _____________ and _____________.

Energy storage and insulation.

Cartilage can be classified into three types: hyaline, _____________, and _____________.

Elastic and fibrocartilage.

The primary function of dense regular connective tissue is to _____________ and _____________.

Withstand tensile forces and provide structure.

Bone serves as a connective tissue that provides _____________ and _____________.

Support and protection.