2.

3 Specialised Cells
Animal Tissue
Connective Tissues
Connective tissue is made up of a variety of cells embedded in a large amount
of intracellular substance called matrix and fibres which are non-living
products of the cells.
Connective tissues protects and support the body and internal organs. They
act as a connecting systems, binding all other tissues together. They also form
surrounding sheaths to separate the various organs.
Examples of connective tissues are cartilage, bones, blood, adipose tissue,
areolar tissue, white fibrous tissue and yellow elastic tissue.
Structure and Functions of Areolar
Tissue
1.0 Where in the body is Areolar tissue ?

Areolar tissue is found in many locations around the body.

One important area is the skin (areolar tissue is found in both the dermis and
sub-cutaneous layers of the skin - see diagram). The areolar tissue located in
the skin binds the outer layers of the skin to the muscles beneath.
Areolar tissue is also found in or around mucous membranes, and around
blood vessels, nerves, and the organs of the body.
2.0 The Structure of Areolar tissue
Areolar Tissue is loose connective tissue that consists of a meshwork of collagen,
elastic tissue, and reticular fibres - with many connective tissue cells in between
the meshwork of fibres.
The fibres that form the mesh structure of areolar tissue include:
Collagen Fibres
Elastic Fibres
Reticular Fibres
The different types of cells embedded within the areolar tissue include:
Fibroblasts
Plasma Cells
Adipocytes
Mast Cells
Macrophages
3.0 The Functions of Areolar tissue
Areolar tissue binds skin to the muscles beneath.
This loose connective tissue also forms a link between organs - while also
enabling a high degree of movement between adjacent body parts.
The key functions of areolar tissue can be summarised as providing:
Support
Strength
Elasticity
Structure and Functions of White Fibrous
Tissue
1.0 Where in the body is White Fibrous
Tissue ?
White fibrous (connective) tissue is present in many locations throughout the
body, including skin (e.g. dermis), ligaments, tendons, cartilage and bones.
Specific examples of areas of the body in which white fibrous tissue may be
found include:
The Eyes - the sclera (of the eye) is formed of white fibrous tissue intermixed
with fine elastic fibers; flattened connective-tissue corpuscles.
The Musculo-Skeletal System - e.g. modified synovial structures, a "bursa" is a
small fluid-filled sac formed from white fibrous tissue and lined with synovial
membrane. This is not a part of all joints but when present provides a cushion
between bones and tendons.
2.0 The Structure of White Fibrous
Tissue
White fibrous tissue is described in the classic text "Gray's Anatomy" as "a true
connecting structure".
The main constituent of white fibrous connective tissue is the protein
collagen.
White fibrous tissue is dense regular connective tissue that has a silvery white
colour/appearance and is physically tough, yet pliable. It consists of
fibroblasts interspersed among many collagen fibres which are often aligned
in the same direction, forming a mechanically strong structure.
Collagen fibres are also known as "collagenous fibres", "white fibres", and (in
American Texts) as "collagen fibers". They range in diameter from less than 1
um (1 um = 1 micrometer = 10-6m = 0.000001 meters ) to about 12 um.
 Fibroblast cells are widely distributed throughout connective tissues and are
necessary for production of the precursors of collagen, elastic fibres, and
reticular fibres (which are microscopic, non-elastic branching fibres).
Fibroblast cells (called "fibrocytes") are often found lying in rows along the
bundles of (white) collagen fibres.
3.0 The Functions of White Fibrous
Tissue
In general, white fibrous tissue connects structures that require a
mechanically strong bond.The main functions of white fibrous tissue involve
supporting and protecting the surrounding structures.
White fibrous tissue is an important part of many structures within the body.
Its functions can therefore be identified according to the type of structure
formed by a particular area of white fibrous tissue. For example, when in the
form of:
Ligaments, white fibrous tissue (in this case often with a higher proportion of
elastin fibres to increase the elasticity/extensibility of the tissue with
minimal compromise to the mechanical strength of the structure) attaches
bones to other bones.
 Tendons, white fibrous tissue attaches muscles to bones and/or other
structures.
Membranes, white fibrous tissue protects structures within the body, including
for example, organs such as the kidneys (in the case of the kidneys, through
the membrane forming the capsule of the kidney).
Structure and Functions of Yellow Elastic
Tissue
1.0 Where in the body is Yellow Elastic
Tissue ?
Yellow elastic (connective) tissue is present in many locations throughout the
body, including:
Lung tissue
Walls of elastic arteries
Trachea (windpipe)
Brochial tubes
Thyroid ligaments
2.0 The Structure of Yellow Elastic
Tissue
The main constituents of yellow elastic tissue are many freely-branching
elastic fibres (which are responsible for the yellowish colour of the tissue).
Chemically, the elastic fibres are elastin, which is composed of the amino
acids glycine, valine, alanine, and proline.
Fibroblast cells (called "fibrocytes") are also widely present distributed
throughout the structure of yellow elastic tissue (as well as those of other
connective tissues, such as white fibrous tissue) and are necessary for
production of the precursors of many constituents of tissues including those of
elastic fibres, and reticular fibres (which are microscopic, non-elastic
branching fibres).
3.0 The Functions of Yellow Elastic
Tissue
Yellow elastic tissue enables organs and parts of organs to stretch (and
contract).
This is important when the function of the organ involves movement incl.
expansion and contraction of membranes e.g. of lung tissue.
Structure and Functions of Adipose
Tissue
1.0 Where in the body is Adipose Tissue ?

Adipose tissue forms a thick layer under the skin, around the kidneys and in
the buttocks.More generally, it is found at the same locations throughout the
body as areolar connective tissue.
Specific examples of the locations of adipose tissue include:
Subcutaneous layer deep to skin
Around the heart
Around the kidneys
Yellow marrow of the long bones
Padding around the joints
Inside the eye-socket, posterior to the eyeball.
2.0 The Structure of Adipose Tissue

Adipose Tissue is a loose fibrous connective tissue packed with many cells
(called "adipocytes") that are specialized for storage of triglycerides more
commonly referred to as "fats".
Each adipocyte cell is filled with a single large droplet of triglyceride (fat). As
this occupies most of the volume of the cell, its cytoplasm, nucleus, and
other components are pushed towards the edges of the cell - which is
bounded by the plasma membrane (also known as the "cell membrane").
3.0 The Functions of Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue acts as an insulating layer, helping to reduce heat loss through
the skin
It also has a protective function, providing mechanical protection ("padding")
and support around some of the major organs, e.g. kidneys.
Adipose tissue is also a means of energy storage. Food that is excess to
requirements is converted into fat and stored within adipose tissue in the
body.