Distinguish between loose and dense connective tissue
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
Main Difference – Loose vs Dense Connective Tissue
Loose and dense connective tissues are the two types of connective tissue in the human body. Connective tissue fills the surfaces between the other types of tissues in the body. It provides both metabolic and structural support to the other tissues. Connective tissue is made up of cells and their extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix consists of protein fibers and polysaccharides. The main difference between loose connective tissue and dense connective tissue is that loose connective tissue consists of protein fibers packed with spaces whereas dense connective tissue consists of tightly packed protein fibers. The three types of loose connective tissue are areolar, adipose, and reticular tissues. The three types of dense connective tissue are dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic tissues. Reticular, collagen, and elastin are the three types of protein fibers that specifically occur in the connective tissue.
Difference Between Loose and Dense Connective Tissue
Definition
Loose Connective Tissue: Loose connective tissue is a type of connective tissue that surrounds blood vessels, nerves, and organs, holding the epithelium and organs in place.
Dense Connective Tissue: Dense connective tissue is a type of connective tissue that contains numerous collagen fibers and provides a strong connection between the tissues that mainly form the structural parts of the body.
Number of Cells
Loose Connective Tissue: Loose connective tissue consists of many cells.
Dense Connective Tissue: Dense connective tissue consists of a fewer cells.
Fibroblasts/Fibrocytes
Loose Connective Tissue: The loose connective tissue mainly contains fibroblasts.
Dense Connective Tissue: The dense connective tissue mainly contains fibrocytes.
Fibers
Loose Connective Tissue: Loose connective tissue consists of loosely arranged fibers.
Dense Connective Tissue: Dense connective tissue consists of numerous, thick fibers.
Types
Loose Connective Tissue: The three types of loose connective tissue are areolar, adipose, and reticular tissue.
Dense Connective Tissue: The three types of dense connective tissue are dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic tissue.
Function
Loose Connective Tissue: The major function of the loose connective tissue is to serve as a supporting matrix for the blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, muscle fibers, organs, and the skin.
Dense Connective Tissue: Dense connective tissue produces tendon and ligaments by forming strong, rope-like structures.
Conclusion
Loose and dense connective tissues are the two types of connective tissues that are found in animals. Connective tissue mainly provides structural support to the soft organs. It also helps to supply nutrients and oxygen to the epithelial tissue. Loose connective tissue contains loosely-arranged fibers whereas dense connective tissue contains heavily-arranged fibers. Therefore, the main difference between loose and dense connective tissue is the density of fibers in the extracellular matrix in each type of connective tissue.