Warm-UpWhat type of connective tissue is shown below?

1. 2.

3. 4.

Cartilage

Blood

Adipose Tissue (Loose

Connective Tissue)

Bone

Chapter 4

Part II: Connective Tissue

Connective Tissue Most abundant and widely distributed tissue Main classes:

1. Connective tissue proper (loose & dense)2. Cartilage3. Bone4. Blood

Functions:1. Binding and support2. Protection3. Insulation4. Transport substances

Classification Variations in blood supply

Avascular (no blood) – cartilage Poorly vascular – tendons, ligaments

Extracellular matrix Produced by cells, secreted to exterior Ground substance: “glue” - fills space

between cells & fibers water + adhesion proteins + polysaccharides

Fibers: provide support Collagen - strength Elastic – stretch Reticular – fine network, “skeleton” of organs

Loose Connective Tissue Universal packing material Subclasses: areolar, adipose, reticular Structure: softer, fewer fibers, gel-like

matrix Functions:

Cushion & protect organs (areolar, fat) Store nutrients (fat) Internal framework (reticular) Fight infection (areolar)

Cells: fibroblasts, adipocytes (fat cells) Locations: under skin, lymph nodes, hips,

behind eyeballs

Dense Connective Tissue

Tendons & ligaments Subclasses: dense regular, dense

irregular, elastic Structure: mainly collagen fibers Functions:

Elastic Resist tension

Cells: fibroblasts Locations: tendons (muscle-bone),

ligaments (bone-bone), lower layers of skin

Cartilage

Subclasses: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage

Structure: flexible, no nerves or blood Functions:

Support Compression

Cells: chondroblasts, chondrocytes Locations: larynx, joints, tip of nose,

ear, intervertebral discs, rib-breastbone, knee joint

Bone

Osseous tissue Subclasses: compact, spongy Structure: hard, calcified matrix;

blood vessels Functions:

support & protect Store calcium Blood cell formation (marrow)

Cells: osteoblasts, osteocytes Locations: bones

Blood

Vascular tissue Subclasses: blood cells, plasma Structure: fluid within blood vessels,

no fibers Functions:

Transport vehicle (nutrients, wastes, gases, hormones)

Cells: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), platelets

Locations: blood vessels