Answered: Describe the major functions of each…

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

11th Edition

ISBN:9780134580999

Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...

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Question

Describe the major functions of each type of connective tissue.

Expert Solution

Step 1

Introduction:

Connective tissues are specialized tissues found in the body. They provide support and hold the body's tissues together. It consists of three main components: cells, fibers, and ground substance. The ground substance and fibers make up the extracellular matrix. Three types of fibers are found in connective tissue: Collagen, Elastic fibers, Reticular fibers.

Step 2

Explanation:

The major functions of each type of connective tissue are:

Cartilage: This is a flexible connective tissue. It is found in the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, and the intervertebral discs. It has specialized cells called chondroblasts. It does not contain blood vessels. It is of three main types: elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage, and fibrocartilage.
Bone: Bone connective tissue is made up of collagen fibres and has a hard, calcified ground substance. Bone can either be compact or spongy and consists of the osteoblasts
Adipose: Adipose connective tissue stores excess energy and fat. It consists of reticular cells. The extracellular matrix of adipose connective tissue has a tight pack of cells with a small gelatinous ground substance.
Blood: Blood is a type of fluid connective tissue. It has three types of cells, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. The extracellular substance is liquid blood plasma.
Hematopoietic/Lymphatic: Lymphatic connective tissue is also a type of fluid connective tissue. It is involved in the manufacture of all the blood cells. It consists of leukocyte cells and soluble protein fibres. The extracellular substance of hematopoietic tissue is blood plasma.
Elastic: Elastic connective tissue helps in maintaining blood pressure and promotes normal exhalation. Elastic connective tissues contain chondrocytes cells and elastic fibres. It has limited ground substance and is flexible but firm.
Fibrous: The fibrous is the dense connective tissue that provides strength to the inner layer of the skin. It consists of fibroblast cells and is made up of fibrous fibres. Its extracellular matrix has parallel or irregularly arranged bundles of fibres with few cells and little ground substance.