1. Ch. 4 Part 3
Connective tissues

2. Connective Tissue
Most abundant and widely distributed tissues in the body
Functions:
Binds together, supports and strengthens other body tissues
Protects and insulates internal organs
Compartmentalizes structures such as skeletal muscles
Serves as major transport system within the body
Primary location of stored energy reserves
Main source of immune responses

3. Connective Tissue Consists of 2 basic elements Extracellular matrix
Material located between its widely spaced cells
Consists of protein fibers and ground substance
Usually determines characteristics (ex: bone – hard and inflexible)
Cells

4. Connective Tissue Cells
Vocab
Blast = to bud or sprout (immature cells)
Fibroblast, chondroblast, osteoblast
Cyte (mature cells)
Chondrocyte, osteocyte
- “blast gives rise to cyte”

5. Connective Tissue Cells
Macrophages
Irregular shape with short branches
Where: wandering and fixed (lungs, spleen)
Function: engulf bacteria and cellular debris
Fibroblasts
Large, flat cells with branches
Where: several types of tissue
Function: migrate through C. T. secreting fibers

6. Connective Tissue Cells
Plasma cells
Small
Where: most places, especially gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
Function: secrete antibodies for immune response
Mast cells
Where: alongside blood vessels
Function: produce histamine for inflammatory response; can bind to and kill bacteria

7. Connective Tissue Cells
Adipocytes
Also called fat or adipose cells
Where: deep to skin and around organs
Function: store triglycerides (fats) as energy
White blood cells
Not normally in C. T. but can migrate there in response to infection

8. Connective Tissue Cells

9. Checkpoint In what ways do connective tissues differ from epithelia?
What are the features of the cells of connective tissue?

10. Extracellular Matrix Two major components Ground substance Fibers
Component of C. T. between cells and fibers
Fibers
Collagen fibers, elastic fibers, reticular fibers

11. Connective Tissue Types
Embryonic – we will not study
Mature – we will study
Loose
Areolar, adipose
Dense
Cartilage
Hyaline, fibrocartilage, elastic
Bone
Liquid
Blood

12. Mature Connective Tissue Types
Areolar C. T.
Contains: fibroblasts, macrophages, plasma cells, mast cells, adipocytes, white blood cells, collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers
Where: form subcutaneous layer – attaches skin to underlying tissues
Adipose
Single cells filled up with single, large triglyceride droplet
Cytoplasm and nucleus pushed aside
Found everywhere areolar is found
Requires blood flow – heavier = more blood vessels = high blood pressure

13. Areolar Adipose

14. Mature Connective Tissue Types
Cartilage
Collagen and elastic fibers in a gel-like substance
Can endure stress
Chondrocytes – mature cartilage cells; occur singly or in groups within lacunae
Has no blood supply – heals poorly after injury
3 types – hyaline, fibrocartilage, and elastic

15. Cartilage

16. Mature Connective Tissue Types
Bone
Also called osseous tissue
Includes marrow, endosteum, periosteum
Basic unit of compact bone is osteon or Haversian system
Blood
Consists of: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets

17. Bone Blood

18. Checkpoint Describe the following: Areolar connective tissue
Adipose tissue
Cartilage
Bone tissue
Blood tissue