ACB 406.3 Lecture 3: Connective Tissue

• School: U of S
• Department: Anatomy and Cell Biology
• Course: ACB 406.3
• Professor: Helen Nichol

Document Summary

Medium for exchange of nutrients and metabolites b/w tissue, blood and lymph. **ct arises from mesoderm: embryonic ct, mesenchyme, mucoid, generalized ct = ct proper , loose, dense, dense irregular, dense regular (e. g. tendons and ligaments, specialized ct, adipose tissue, bone, cartilage. The character of each type of ct is defined by its cells, some of which secrete a gel-like matrix (ground substance) and fibres in the matrix. Connective tissue = cells + ecm (=ground substance + fibers) **fibroblasts are found in all types of ct. Morphology: abundant rer increases when active = more ribosomes = more basophilic cytoplasm, prominent golgi complex. Functions: fibroblast synthesize, collagen and reticular and elastic fibers that assemble outside of the cell, complex carbohydrates of the ground substance, fibroblast in close association w/ epithelia, respond to injury, proliferate rapidly, signal other cells. Inactive fibroblasts are smaller w/ pale pink or colourless cytoplasm. Ca(cid:374)"t see their (cid:272)(cid:455)toplas(cid:373) or their processes.