Lab Activity 3: Connective Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards covering connective tissues, their cellular components, matrix structures, and specific tissue classifications.

Epithelial tissue

Tissues that cover or line a surface, which may be internal.

Connective tissue

Tissue that cushions, connects, and supports structures; it is the most abundant type of tissue by weight in the body.

Muscle tissue

Unique tissue that can contract.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that controls the body and can carry electro-chemical impulses.

Extracellular matrix

Abundant intercellular material in connective tissue composed of protein fibers and a fluid called ground substance.

Ground substance

The fluid portion of the extracellular matrix that combines with protein fibers.

Fibroblasts

Fixed, large star-shaped cells that are the most common connective tissue cell; they produce protein fibers and secrete them into the ground substance.

Macrophages

Connective tissue cells whose function is to remove foreign material and cells.

Mast cells

Connective tissue cells whose function is to promote inflammation and allergies.

Collagenous fibers

Thick strands made of collagen protein that are flexible and possess high tensile strength.

Elastic fibers

Thin, hair-like fibers made of elastin protein that are weaker than collagenous fibers but very flexible and easily stretched.

Tensile strength

The tension a material can withstand without tearing.

Loose connective tissue group

A group of connective tissues where cells are scattered throughout the matrix, such as Areolar tissue and Adipose tissue.

Dense connective tissue group

A group of connective tissues whose matrix is comprised of tightly packed collagenous fibers with few cells embedded between the fibers.

Cartilage group

A specialized group of connective tissues that possess chondrocytes residing in small chambers called lacunae surrounded by extracellular matrix.

Chondrocyte

A specialized cartilage cell located inside small chambers called lacunae.

Lacunae

Small chambers within the extracellular matrix in which chondrocytes reside.

Adipose tissue

A loose connective tissue containing fat droplets and nuclei that may be pushed to the margin.

Areolar tissue

A loose connective tissue containing elastin fibers, collagen fibers, and fibroblasts.

White fibrous tissue

Dense connective tissue containing fibroblasts and collagen fibers as part of the matrix.

Hyaline cartilage

Cartilage containing chondrocytes in lacunae and collagen fibers that may be so thin they are not visible.

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage containing chondrocytes in lacunae and elastin fibers as part of the matrix.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage containing chondrocytes in lacunae and 'stacked' collagen fibers as part of the matrix.