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Lecture 12:
Connective Tissues
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General functions
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Support softer organs of body – Connect parts of body
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Store fat
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Produce blood cells
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Contain cells embedded in nonliving extracellular matrix
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Matrix provides the strength
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Two general types
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Fibrous and specialized
Fibrous Connective Tissue
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Function: provides strength and elasticity
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Contains fibers and cells embedded in gel-like
ground substance (matrix)
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Matrix: intercellular material giving the connective tissue its
characteristics
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Cells: fibroblasts, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils
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Fibers: collagen, elastic, and reticular
Fibrous Connective Tissue
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Four general types
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Loose
: surrounds internal organs, muscles, and
blood vessels
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Dense
: forms tendons, ligaments, deeper layers of
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skin
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Elastic
: surrounds hollow organs (stomach and
bladder) that change shape or size regularly
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Reticular
: makes up internal framework of soft
organs (liver) and the lymphatic system
Specialized Connective Tissues Serve Special Functions
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▪ Cartilage
: transitional tissue from which bone develops; maintains
shape of certain body parts (nose, ears), cushions vertebrae (vertebral
disks), lines joint cavities
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▪ Bone
: forms the skeleton
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▪ Blood
: fluid matrix of plasma, red blood cells, white
blood cells, and platelets; transports materials
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▪ Adipose tissue
: fat cells; functions in insulation, protection, and
energy storage
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Muscle Tissue Contracts to Produce Movement
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▪ Skeletal
muscle
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Moves body parts
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Voluntary, multinucleated
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▪ Cardiac
muscle
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Functions in the heart
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Involuntary, single nucleus
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▪ Smooth
muscle
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Surrounds hollow structures – Involuntary, single nucleus
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Muscle Tissue Contracts to Produce Movement
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▪ Skeletal
muscle
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Moves body parts
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Voluntary, multinucleated
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▪ Cardiac
muscle
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Functions in the heart
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Involuntary, single nucleus
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▪ Smooth
muscle
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Surrounds hollow structures – Involuntary, single nucleus
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Nervous Tissues Transmit Impulses
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▪ Neuron
: specialized nervous system cell
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Function: generate and transmit electrical impulses – Structural
components: cell body, dendrites, axon
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▪ Glial cells
– Function
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– Surround and protect neurons – Provide nutrients to neurons
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Organs and Organ Systems Perform Complex Functions
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Organs
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Contain two or more tissue types joined together;
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perform specific functions
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Organ systems
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– Groups of organs that perform a common function – 11 organ
systems make up the human body
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Examples
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– Digestive system: mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, and liver
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– Lymphatic system: lymph nodes, tonsils, and spleen
