Question

Consider the direction of collagen and elastin in various connective tissues. Also consider the amount of ground substance containing GAG's and proteoglycans.

Answer the questions below regarding: Dense regular connective tissue,

• Considering the amount of collagen fibers vs elastic fibers, does the tissue you have chosen allow for a lot of distraction and does it rebound to its original shape, or does it simply prevent stretching of the tissue?

Answer 1

Lets first discuss about the structure and function of Dense regular connective tissue,later will come across the questions asked.

Dense regular connective tissue provides connection between different tissues in the human body.The collagen fibers in dense regular connective tissue are bundled in parallel fashion.Dense regular connective tissue is divided into white fibrous connective tissue and yellow fibrous connective tissue both of which occur in two forms cord arrangement and sheet arrangement.

In cord arrangement bundles of collagen and matrix are distributed in regular alternate patterns.In sheet arrangement collagen bundles and matrix are distributed in irregular patterns,sometimes in the form of a network.

An example of their use is tendons,which connects muscle to bone and derive strength from the collagen fibers.

Function of dense regular connective tissue :

They contains two types of fibers , namely - collagen and elastin fibers :

This tissue containing collagen fibers has great tensile strength that resists pulling forces especially in one direction.These tissues have a very poor blood supply due to which they heal slowly if damaged. They are extremely important type of connective tissue that provides structure and are strong and flexible.They can resist extreme pulling and stretching forces along the length of their fibers.The strength is actually the product of muscles along with dense regular connective tissue of tendons.These tendons securely attach your muscles to bones.Without tendons the muscle would easily detach when you moved or flexed.

The dense regular fibers also contain elastin fibers which are much thinner than than collagen fibers and allow a higher degree of stretch than collagen fiber.Elastin fibers work like elastic bands,it can actually be stretched to 150% of its original length and still can rebound to its original shape just like a rubber band.

Hope the answer was clear and helpful..............

Thanks.