BIOL 348 Chapter 4 - Connective Tissues

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, binds, and protects other tissues

Extracellular Matrix (For Connective tissue)

Protein fibers and/or ground substance that determines the specialization of connective tissue

Type 1 Collagen Fibers

Fiber that is

-Most common

-Long, straight, and unbranched

-Strong and Flexible (Steel Cable)

-Found in Tendons and Ligaments

Type 3 Reticular Fibers

Fiber that is

-Network of interwoven fibers

-Flexible and Strong

-Resists force in many directions

-Stabilizes cell and structures

-Sheathes around organs

Elastic Fibers

Fiber that is

-Branched and wavy

-Recoils after stretching

-Containing Elastin

-Found in ligaments of vertebrae

Fibroblasts

Cells that produce fibers and ground substance of the ECM

Mesenchymal cells

Divide and repair injured connective tissues

Functions of Connective tissues

-Structural framework for the body

-Transports fluids and dissolved materials

-Protects delicate organs

-Supports and interconnects other tissues

-Energy reserve

-Defense from microorganisms

Connective tissue proper

Connective tissue that

-Connects and protects

-Can be loose (More ground substance)

-Can be dense (More fibers)

Fluid connective tissue

Connective tissue that

-Transports

_watery matrix

-Blood and Lymph

Supporting connective tissues

Connective tissue that

-Has structural strength

-Calcified or gel matrix

-Cartiallge and Bone

Loose connective tissue

Areolar, Adipose, and Reticular tissue

Loose Areolar tissue

Connective tissue with scattered fibroblasts, abundant ground substance, and connects epithelia to deeper tissues

Loose Adipose tissue

-Contains many adipocytes

-Able to expand and contract

-Can be white or brown fat

White fat

Needed for fat storage and insulation

Brown fat

Needed for non-shivering thermogenesis, most common in babies

Loose Reticular Connective Tissue

-Provides support

-Acts as a filter in reticular organs

-Found in spleen, bone marrow, and liver

-Reticular ECM

Dense Connective Tissue

Regular, irregular, and elastic

Dense Regular connective tissue

-Tightly packed parallel collagen fibers

-Found in tendons and ligaments

-Resists tension but not very flexible

Dense Irregular Connective Tissues

-Interwoven networks of collagen fibers

-Layered in Reticular layer of dermis

-Perochondrium

-Periosteum

-Strength in all directions

Dense Elastic Tissue

-Elastic fibers

-Found in arteries

Fluid Connective Tissue

-Blood and Lymph

-Watery matrix

Supporting Connective Tissues

-Cartilage

-Bone

Hyaline Cartilage

-Glassy matrix

-Most common and weakest type of cartilage

-Smooths joint surfaces

Fibrocartilage

-Parallel collagen fibers in matrix

-Can be found in intervertebral discs and the pubic symphysis

Elastic Cartilage

-Elastic fibers

-Structural

-Can be found in the ear and epiglottic

Fascie

-layers of connective tissue

-layers and wraps around organs