Question

What are connective tissues ? Explain in brief.

Answer 1

connective tissue as their name refers perform the connecting function they bind other tissues e.g Adipose tissues (fats) etc

Answer 2

Answer:

Connective Tissues -

• These tissues help in linking and supporting other tissues or organs.
• These are most abundant in complex organisms.
• All connective tissues have fibroblast cells except blood.
• The fibroblast cells secrete fibrous proteins called collagen and elastin which give strength, elasticity and flexibility to the tissue.
• The cells also secrete modified polysaccharides which accumulate between cells and fibre i.e. acts as a matrix.

The connective tissue can be classified into loose connective tissues, dense connective tissues and specialised connective tissues.

Loose connective tissue -

• The loose connective tissue includes cells like fibroblast, macrophages and mast cells.

These cells are loosely arranged in semi fluid matrix.

• The loose connective tissue can be classified into adipose and areolar tissue.
• The adipose tissue is seen mainly beneath the skin and it helps in storing fats. The cells in this tissue are called adipocytes. The excess nutrients in the body are converted into fats and stored in this tissue.
• The areolar tissue is present beneath the skin and it serves as a support framework for epithelium.

Dense connective tissue -

• The fibres and fibroblast in this connective tissue are compactly packed.
• The dense connective tissue is classified into two types that is dense regular and dense irregular tissues.
• The dense regular tissue show regular pattern of fibres. The collagen fibres are in rows between parallel bundles of fibres. The dense regular connective tissue can be classified into two types that is tendons and ligaments. The tendons attach skeletal muscles to bones whereas ligaments attach one bone to another bone.
• The dense irregular tissue has irregular pattern of fibroblast and fibres. These are mainly present in skin.

Specialised connective tissue -

• There are three types of specialised connective tissues namely cartilage, bone and blood.
• The cartilage has a solid and pliable matrix. It is made up of chondroitin salts which resist compression. The cartilage cells are called chondrocytes which are enclosed within the matrix. These are present in the tip of nose, outer ear and at certain joints.
• The bone has a hard and non pliable matrix made up of calcium salts and collagen fibres which gives bone strength. The bone cells are called osteocytes and seen in spaces called lacunae. The main functions of bone include providing structural frame to the body, protecting and supporting tissues and organs and taking part in locomotion and movements.
• The blood is a fluid connective tissue which contains plasma, white blood cells and red blood cells along with platelets. It helps in circulation of various substances in the body.