Dela Cruz, Albert Bryan R.

BSMT - 1 | February 26, 2022

Human Histology (MED 3)

Activity #3
Connective Tissues

 Using the same format, do the following activities.

1. Lists the types of fibers that make up connective tissues. Give their innate
characteristics.
 There are several fibers that make up connective tissues. The list that will
follow includes all of these fibers, what are they made of, and what are their
functions.
1. Collagens have the ability to form various extracellular fibers and sheets
which are all extremely strong and resistant to different shearing and
tearing forces.
a. Fibrillar collagens have polypeptide subunits that aggregate to form
large fibrils that are clearly visible in the light microscope
 Type I collagen is mostly found within the skin, bone, and tendons
and are considered as the most durable collagen among other
fibrillar collagens
 Type II collagen is usually found in cartilages
 Type III collagen is usually found in blood vessels, more commonly
in arteries
b. Network Forming Collagens are also known as the Type IV collagens
and are the major structural proteins of external and basal laminae
c. Linking or anchoring collagens, or the Type VII collagens are short
collagens that link fibrillar collagens to one another and to other
components of extracellular material
2. Reticular fibers, which originate from Type III collagens, are abundant in
immune and lymphoid tissues, and is characterized by its high
carbohydrate content and very dark with silver stains
3. Elastic fibers, which are composed of elastin and fibrillin, provides elastic
properties to connective tissues.

2. Discuss and identify the different types of cartilage.

 Cartilage is a tough and resilient type of connective tissue which provides
structural support to certain soft tissues and cushioned, low-friction surfaces in
joints. There are different types of cartilage. First is hyaline cartilage, which is
the most abundant type mainly consist of aggrecan and type II collagen. It
covers the ends of bones, provides rigidity in respiratory tract, and allows
growth of long bones. Second is elastic cartilage. Aside from collagen and
proteoglycans, it also contains elastic fibers which helps increase the tissue’s
 flexibility. It is also able to recoil to its original shape when bent. Third and last
is fibrocartilage. It contains varying combinations of hyaline cartilage and is able
to withstand considerable pressure and compression.

3. Differentiate yellow adipose from brown adipose tissue.

 Adipose tissue is a specialized connective tissue where fat storing cells
predominate. It has two types, the white and brown adipose tissue. The white
adipose tissue is found in many organs throughout the body and is accounting
to about 20% of adult body weight. It is considered unilocular where its cells
contain one large lipid droplet. The brown adipose tissue, on the other hand,
comprises up to 5% of a newborn’s body weight. Its darker appearance is
caused by its characteristic known as multilocular. Meaning, the brown adipose
tissue cells contain many, small lipid droplets.

4. Differentiate spongy bone from dense bone.

 The dense bone or the compact bone is mostly made up of solid matrix and
cells. It is consists of predictable pattern of units called osteons and a
concentric rings of lamellae called the Haversian canal. On the other hand,
spongy bone, also known as cancellous bone, is consists of a lacy network of
bones with many small and narrow spaces. The spongy bone forms the interior
of bones and is found deep to the dense or compact bone.

5. Describe the Haversian canal system. What is the purpose?

 The Haversian canal system is consist of Haversian canal, canaliculi, osteons,
and lamellae. The Haversian canals are tunnels in the bone that house nerve
fibers and a few capillaries which allows bone to get oxygen and nutrition.
These canals also communicate with bone cells using special connections or the
canaliculi. This connection facilitates the deposit and storage of mineral salts,
which gives bones their strength. This Haversian canal system allows nutrients
to pass between the blood and bone.

6. Why is the blood considered a connective tissue? Identify its matrix components,
cellular components and fibrous components.
 The blood is considered as a connective tissue because of two reasons, its
components and function. In terms of its components, the blood has its own
fluid matrix known as the plasma. It has cells, the red blood cells and the white
blood cells, and plasma floating in it while its fibers, which are soluble protein
molecules, are visible in clotting. In terms of function, the blood transports
oxygen and nutrients to all the parts of the body, and removes the waste
products. Therefore, blood connects to all body systems.
7. Complete the table by supplying what is asked.
Loose, Areolar Connective Tissue Dense, Regular Type
Organ: Widely distributed throughout Organ: Mainly found in tendons and
the body (occupies areas adjacent to ligaments
other types of epithelia)
Illustration: Illustration:

   
Function: Loose packing, support, and Function: provides great strength but
nourishment little stretch

Hyaline Cartilage Elastic cartilage

Organ: Growing long bones, rings of
Organ: External ears, epiglottis, auditory
respiratory tract, costal cartilage of ribs,
tubes
nasal cartilages
Illustration: Illustration:

   
Function: provides rigidity in respiratory Function: helps increase the tissue’s
tract, and allows growth of long bones flexibility
Fibrocartilage Human Blood smear
Organ: Intervertebral disks, pubic Organ: Within the blood vessels
symphysis, articular disks
Illustration Illustration

   
Function: able to withstand considerable Function: transports oxygen and nutrients
pressure and compression to all the parts of the body, and removes
the waste products
Dense, irregular type Elastic type
Organ: dermis and organ capsules Organ: often organized into lamellar
sheets and the walls of arteries.
Illustration Illustration

   
Function: providing resistance to tearing Function: provides elastic properties to
from all directions connective tissues

Reticular type Adipose

Organ: lymph nodes, bone marrow, Organ: subcutaneous areas, mesentries,
spleen, kidneys renal pelves, surface of the colon,
 mammary glands, around kidneys
Illustration Illustration

   
Function: forms the framework of Function: heat production, cushion or
lymphatic tissue protection, storage of energy