Learn: Lab 2: Connective Tissues | Quizlet

What are general connective tissues?

The connective tissues being introduced here; the later labs will cover special connective tissues such as cartilage, bone, and blood. (p. 9)

What should you be able to do for each connective-tissue type?

Identify which type of connective tissue it is and explain how you know based on its characteristics. (p. 9)

What is areolar or loose connective tissue?

A connective tissue with a loosely arranged mixture of fibers and cells, leaving relatively large spaces between its components. (p. 9)

How can you recognize areolar/loose connective tissue?

Look for a loose arrangement of fibers, with spaces between the fibers and cells rather than tightly packed, organized fibers. (p. 9)

What are collagen fibers?

Strong connective-tissue fibers that provide tensile strength and resist pulling forces. (p. 9)

What pencil note helps identify collagen fibers?

Your note says "light pink in background = collagen." Use the staining appearance as a clue when identifying collagen on these preparations. (p. 9)

What are elastic fibers?

Fibers that provide elasticity, allowing connective tissue to stretch and recoil. (p. 9)

What are elastic fibers made from?

Your pencil note identifies them as being made from elastin protein. (p. 9)

What pencil observation helps distinguish elastic fibers?

Your note describes them as skinny and dark, providing a visual clue for identifying them. (p. 9)

What are fibroblasts?

Cells of connective tissue that produce components of the extracellular matrix, including fibers. (p. 9)

How do the fibers in loose/areolar connective tissue differ from those in dense connective tissue?

Areolar connective tissue has a looser arrangement of fibers, with more space between its components. (p. 9)

What is dense regular connective tissue?

Connective tissue in which collagen fibers are densely packed and arranged in a regular, parallel pattern. (p. 9)

What are the major fibers identified in dense regular connective tissue?

Collagen fibers. (p. 9)

How can you tell that connective tissue is dense regular?

Look for densely packed collagen fibers arranged in an organized, parallel direction. (p. 9)

Why is the muscle-tendon junction called white fibrous tissue?

The tendon portion is dominated by densely packed collagen fibers, giving it a white, fibrous appearance. (p. 9)

What is dense irregular connective tissue?

Connective tissue with densely packed collagen fibers arranged in many different directions rather than parallel bundles. (p. 9)

What are the major structures identified in dense irregular connective tissue on the skin-hair follicle preparation?

Collagen fibers and fibroblasts. (p. 9)

How can you tell dense irregular connective tissue from dense regular connective tissue?

Dense regular tissue has collagen fibers arranged mostly parallel; dense irregular tissue has collagen fibers arranged in multiple directions. (p. 9)

What pencil note should you remember about the collagen in the dense irregular tissue preparation?

Your note says "no elastic, only collagen," emphasizing collagen as the fiber to recognize in this preparation. (p. 9)

What is adipose connective tissue?

A connective tissue specialized for storing energy as fat. (p. 9)

What is a fat vacuole?

The large space within an adipocyte where the fat droplet has been stored; processing can leave the fat appearing as an empty-looking space. (p. 9)

What is an adipocyte nucleus?

The nucleus of a fat cell, typically pushed toward the edge of the cell by the large fat storage area. (p. 9)

How can you recognize adipose connective tissue?

Look for large fat vacuoles with adipocyte nuclei pushed toward the cell periphery. (p. 9)

What question should you ask when identifying a connective tissue?

"Which type of connective tissue is this?" (p. 9)

What second question should you ask after identifying a connective tissue?

"How do you know?" Use the tissue's fiber arrangement and identifiable cells/structures as evidence. (p. 9)

What feature is especially useful for identifying areolar connective tissue?

Its loose arrangement of fibers with noticeable spaces between components. (p. 9)

What feature is especially useful for identifying dense regular connective tissue?

Parallel, densely packed collagen fibers. (p. 9)

What feature is especially useful for identifying dense irregular connective tissue?

Densely packed collagen fibers running in different directions. (p. 9)

What feature is especially useful for identifying adipose connective tissue?

Large fat vacuoles within adipocytes. (p. 9)

Where should you be able to find examples of each type of connective tissue?

You should be able to find examples of each connective-tissue type in the cadavers. (p. 9)