Question

Describe the ground substance and fibers found in each type of connective tissue

Answer 1

Connective tissues are specialized tissue which holds the body cells together and provides support. There two two types of cells which are commonly found in all types of connective tissue called fibrocytes and fat cells. The extracellular substance surrounding the cells is made up of collagen, reticular and elastic fibers. There are seven types of connective tissues. They are:

1. Cartilage: It is a dense connective tissue supportive in nature consisting of chondrocyte cells. It includes hyaline, Fibrocartilage and elastic cartilage. The crtilage connective tissue is made up of collegen and elastic fibers. They have limited ground substance and its matrix is semisolid to flexible type.
2. Bone: The bone is also called as osseous tissue which also provides support. It may be compact or spongy and consist of osteoblasts or osteocyte cells. They are made up of collgen fibers and have a rigid and calcified ground substance.
3. Blood : Its a fluid coonective tissue which is also called as vascular tissue. It consist of erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocyte cells. The cells of the blood connective tissue is soluble protein and the extracellular substance is liquid blood plasma.
4. Adipose : It acts as a cushion and stores energy and fats. It consist of reticular cells and is made up of reticular fibers. The extracellular substance of adipose connective tissue is made up of tight pack of cells with little gelatinous ground substance.
5. Lympatic/hemapoetic : Its is another fluid connective tissue which is primary source of generating blood cells and immune function of the body. It consist of leukocyte cells and is made up of soluble liquid protein. The extracellular substance is liquid blood plasma.
6. Elastic : These tissues helps to maintain blood pressure and helps in normal exhalation. It consist of chondrocyte cells and is made up of elastic fibers. The extracellular substance is composed of little ground substance which has flexible but firm matrix.
7. Fibrous : It provides strength to inner layer of skin. It helps to bear the forces of joint movements. Its a dense connective tissue consist of fibroblast cells and is made up of fibrous tissue. THe extracellular substance is composed of parallel or irregularly bundle of fibers with little ground substance.