What is the role of ligaments?
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To connect bones to other bones.
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What is the role of ligaments?
To connect bones to other bones.
What is the primary function of tendons?
To connect muscles to bones.
What is hyaluronic acid?
A polysaccharide that acts as a lubricant, found in joints and the vitreous humour of the eye.
What is a key characteristic of the extracellular matrix in connective tissue?
It varies in composition, making different types of connective tissues unique.
What are the main components of connective tissue?
Cells and extracellular matrix.
What type of connective tissue is made up of regular elastic connective tissue?
It provides more stretch and flexibility compared to irregular collagenous connective tissue.
What type of fibers are more prevalent in regular elastic connective tissue?
Elastic fibers.
What is the role of '-clast' cells?
They break down matrix for remodeling purposes.
Name the three main types of loose connective tissue.
Areolar, adipose, and reticular.
What is the significance of having elastic fibers in the walls of arteries?
They allow the arteries to stretch in multiple directions and maintain strength.
What is the primary protein found in loose areolar connective tissue?
Collagen fibers.
What is the main characteristic of dense regular collagenous connective tissue?
It has densely packed collagen fibers in a regular orientation.
Why do collagen fibers in dense regular connective tissue provide strength?
They are aligned in the same direction, maximizing strength along their length.
What type of connective tissue is found in scar tissue?
Dense irregular collagenous connective tissue.
What is the primary component of elastic connective tissue?
Elastic fibers, with some collagen fibers mixed in.
What is the significance of bones as connective tissue?
Bones support soft tissues and provide a structure for muscles to pull on for movement.
How do collagen fibers differ from reticular fibers?
Collagen fibers are bundled together, while reticular fibers form a branching network.
What are the three main types of mature connective tissues?
Connective tissue proper, supporting connective tissue, and fluid connective tissue.
What is the function of ground substance in the extracellular matrix?
It acts as a filler and can be made up of various components.
Where is dense, irregular, elastic connective tissue found?
In the walls of elastic arteries.
What is the function of adipose tissue?
It serves as a storage form of fuel in the form of fat.
What types of cells can be found in loose areolar connective tissue?
Macrophages, white blood cells, and fibroblast cells.
What is the primary function of adipose tissue?
To store triglycerides or fat.
What additional roles does adipose tissue serve besides energy storage?
It supports and protects organs and provides insulation for the skin.
Where is dense irregular collagenous connective tissue commonly found?
In the dermis of the skin.
What does it mean that most connective tissues are vascular?
They have a direct blood supply.
What is an exception to the vascularity of connective tissues?
Cartilage, which does not have a direct blood supply.
What are the three main types of protein fibers found in the extracellular matrix?
Collagen fibers, reticular fibers, and elastic fibers.
What is collagen and its significance in the body?
Collagen is the most common protein in the body, forming strong and flexible fibers.
What characterizes dense, irregular, elastic connective tissue?
It has bundles and sheets of both collagenous and elastic fibers oriented in multiple directions.
What role does blood play as a type of connective tissue?
Blood transports nutrients, oxygen, waste products, hormones, and immune cells throughout the body.
What are macrophages and their function?
Cells that engulf and digest debris in connective tissue.
What distinguishes dense connective tissue from loose connective tissue?
Dense connective tissue has more protein fibers and less ground substance.
What is the function of fibroblast cells?
They build protein fibers in connective tissue.
What is the primary function of adipocytes in adipose tissue?
To store triglycerides, the storage form of fat.
How does connective tissue differ from epithelial tissue?
Connective tissue consists of cells separated by extracellular matrix, while epithelial tissue has densely packed cells with little extracellular matrix.
What is the role of cells in connective tissue?
Their function is to create and support the extracellular matrix.
What is one of the primary functions of connective tissue?
To enclose organs as a capsule, providing a barrier and protection.
How does connective tissue function in the peripheral nervous system?
It surrounds nerves to separate neurons from each other.
What role do ligaments and tendons play in the body?
Ligaments attach bones to bones, and tendons attach muscles to bones.
Where can dense regular elastic connective tissue be found?
In the ligaments of the vocal folds and the nuchal ligament.
What is adipose tissue and its primary function?
Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue that serves as a storage form of energy.
What happens to '-blast' cells after they complete their function?
They turn into '-cyte' cells, which are the mature versions.
How does the composition of protein fibers vary in connective tissues?
The amount and types of proteins vary dramatically from one tissue to another.
What is the main characteristic of reticular tissue?
It is made up primarily of reticular fibers that form a network.
What is the difference between elastic dense connective tissue and collagenous dense connective tissue?
Elastic dense connective tissue primarily contains elastic fibers, while collagenous dense connective tissue primarily contains collagen fibers.
What distinguishes adipose tissue from other connective tissues?
It is made up of densely packed cells called adipocytes.
What are some examples of connective tissues mentioned?
Bone, blood, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
What is a common function of connective tissue?
Connecting various structures in the body.
What types of connective tissues are tendons and ligaments classified as?
Dense regular collagenous connective tissue.
How does the orientation of collagen fibers affect the strength of tendons?
They are strong along the length but weak when pulled from the side.
What happens when tendons are pulled in a direction not aligned with their collagen fibers?
They can be more easily damaged or injured.
Why is elasticity important in vocal cords?
To prevent tearing when shouting while allowing stretch and bounce back.
How does connective tissue provide insulation and cushioning?
Adipose tissue acts as insulation and cushioning for the body and surrounding organs.
What is hyaluronic acid?
A component that can be part of the ground substance in the extracellular matrix.
What is the primary component of areolar connective tissue?
Collagen fibers, along with some reticular and elastic fibers.
What are the two arrangements of protein fibers in dense connective tissue?
Regularly arranged and irregularly arranged.
What are the two other main classes of connective tissue mentioned?
Supporting connective tissue (cartilage and bone) and fluid connective tissue (blood).
Why is adipose tissue considered part of connective tissue?
Because it is often found alongside areolar connective tissue.
What characterizes dense irregular collagenous connective tissue?
It has collagen fibers that are randomly oriented, providing strength in multiple directions.
What are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)?
Polysaccharides that are part of proteoglycans in the ground substance.
What is the function of the nuchal ligament?
It helps attach the skull and assists in positioning the head upright.
What does the suffix '-cyte' signify in connective tissue cells?
It signifies that the cell maintains the matrix.
What is the role of reticular fibers?
To fill spaces between tissues and organs and provide a supporting framework for soft organs.
What is an example of a '-clast' cell?
Osteoclast, which breaks down bone matrix.
What is the role of mast cells in connective tissue?
They secrete heparin and histamine, involved in inflammatory responses.
What types of fibers are present in loose areolar connective tissue?
Collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers.
What is the ACL ligament?
The anterior cruciate ligament that holds two bones together at the knee joint.
What are proteoglycans?
Long protein cores with many polysaccharides attached, forming a key component of ground substance.
How does the strength of dense irregular collagenous connective tissue compare to regular collagenous connective tissue?
It provides strength in many directions but is not as strong in one specific direction.
What is the extracellular matrix in connective tissue?
The component of connective tissue that is most diverse and made of different components.
What does the suffix '-blast' indicate about a cell?
It indicates that the cell creates matrix.
What is an example of a '-blast' cell and its function?
Osteoblast, which produces the extracellular matrix of bone.
How can the ground substance vary?
It can be fluid like blood, semi-fluid, gelatinous, or calcified like bone, depending on its components.
What minerals do bones store, and why is this important?
Bones store calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for various bodily processes.
What is connective tissue proper?
It is the general class of connective tissues found in many body regions.
How do connective tissues protect the body?
Connective tissues like bones and adipose tissue provide protection for vital organs.
What gives strength to both regular and irregular elastic connective tissue?
Collagen fibers.
What is the primary protein in regular collagenous connective tissue?
Collagen fibers that are regularly arranged.
Where is loose areolar connective tissue commonly found?
In the skin, filling gaps between other tissues.
What role does hyaluronic acid play in the body?
It helps reduce friction and creates slippery areas in joints and the eye.
What distinguishes connective tissue from avascular epithelial tissue?
Most connective tissues have a blood supply, while epithelial tissues are avascular.
What is a proteoglycan aggregate?
A structure formed when proteoglycans stick together, often held by hyaluronic acid.
What is the purpose of proteoglycan aggregates?
To retain water in the ground substance, affecting the properties of connective tissue.
How does water retention in cartilage affect its properties?
It gives cartilage malleability, allowing it to compress and return to its original shape.
What is the role of adhesion proteins in ground substance?
To hold proteoglycan aggregates together and attach them to neighboring cells.
What is a chondrocyte and its role?
A chondrocyte is a cell in cartilage that helps maintain the matrix.
What makes elastic fibers unique?
They can stretch and return to their original shape due to the protein elastin.
What characterizes loose connective tissue?
It has fewer protein fibers and more ground substance.
Why do elastic arteries need to be stretchy?
To accommodate the volume of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat.
What is loose areolar connective tissue primarily known for?
It serves as the loose packing material of most organs and tissues.
