Connective tissue

The cells of connective tissue are separated by non-living material.

Functions

-         Bind and support body part

-         Protect fill spaces

-         Store fat

-         Transport material

Types

-         Loose connective tissue

-         Dense connective tissue

Loose connective tissue

It includes areolar, adipose and reticular connective tissue.

-         Areolar:

o       Contains collagen fibers.

o       Is found in the skin in most internals organs of vertebrates.

o       Forms a protective covering for muscles, blood, vessels and nerves.

-         Adipose tissue:

o       Contains enlarged fibroblasts cells.

o       Stores fat.

o       Functions to store energy.

o       Insulates and provides padding especially in the skin and around the kidneys and heart.

-         Reticular connective tissue:

o       Contains an abundance of reticular fibers.

o       Provides a supporting framework for organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen and liver.

Dense connective tissue

-         Regular:

o       Contains collagen fibers oriented in one direction to provide strength in that direction.

o       Found in tendons and ligaments.

-         Irregular:

o       Contains collagen fibers oriented in many different directions.

o       Found in the deep layers of the skin (dermis) and the tough capsules that surround many of the organs such as the kidneys, adrenal glands, nerves, bones and the covering muscles.

o       Provides support and strength.

-         Cartilage

o       Contains collagen and elastic fibers.

o       Found in the ends of bones where it prevents friction within the joints.

-         Blood

o       Contains cells that are separated by non-living material, called plasma.

o       The unique connective tissue.