connective tissue fibers and cells

Collagen Fiber

• made from fibrous protein sub units linked together to form a long and straight fiber

• Have great tensile strengths

Elastic Fibers

Contains the protein elastin along with lesser amounts of other proteins and glycoproteins

Reticular fibers

Formed from the same protein subunits as collage fibers; however, these fibers remain narrow and are arranged in a branching network

Plasma Cells

A type of white blood cell that makes large amounts of proteins called antibodies to help your body fight off germs and infection

Leukocytes

White blood cells are responsible for defending against potentially harmful microorganisms or molecules

Mast Cells

• has many cytoplasmic granules

• Granules contain chemical signal histamine and heparin

Macrophages

• Is a large cell derived from a monocyte, a type of blood cell, which enters the connective tissue matrix from the blood vessels

• Essential compartment of the immune system

Adipocytes

Cells that store lipids as droplets that fill most of the cytoplasm

Fibroblasts

• most abundant cell in connective tissue proper

• Form the extra cellular matrix

Connective tissue

• to connect and support tissues to organs

• Protection is another major function