A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of a living organism. A tissue is a group of cells having a common origin, similar structure and function and held together by a cementing substance. Example: Connective Tissue
Animal Tissues
Animal tissues are different and are broadly classified into four types :
- Epithelial Tissue
- Connective Tissue
- Muscular Tissue and
- Neural Nervous Tissue
In this article we are going to discuss about Connective Tissues only.
Connective Tissue
| CHARACTERISTICS | Consists of a matrix and the cells are embedded in it. |
| LOCATION | Found in the deeper parts of the body in between the skin and muscles. |
| FUNCTION | Connects various organs and keeps them in proper place. |
Types of Connective Tissues
- Connective tissue proper
- Supportive connective tissue
- Fluid connective tissue
Connective tissue proper:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Made up of irregular cells scattered and embedded in a soft matrix. |
| LOCATION | Encompasses all the internal organs and body cavities. |
| FUNCTION | Acts as a binding and supporting structure within the body. |
Types of Connective tissue proper:
- Areolar tissue
- Adipose tissue
- Fibrous tissue
Areolar tissue:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Made of gelatinous matrix containing cells and irregularly arranged fibres. |
| LOCATION | Found between the skin and muscles, around the blood vessels, nerves and in the bone marrow. |
| FUNCTION | Fills the space inside the organs and supports and strengthens the internal organs. |
Adipose tissue:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Cells are filled with fat globules, situated in a large central vacuole of a cell, pushing the cytoplasm and the nucleus to the periphery. |
| LOCATION | Found beneath the skin, around the kidneys and other internal organs such as intestines. |
| FUNCTION | Acts as an insulator because of the storage of energy in the form of fats. It insulates the body and prevents the loss of heat. |
Fibrous tissue:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Mainly formed of fibre-forming cells which form the tendons and ligaments. |
| LOCATION | Found in the spaces between the bones and muscles. |
| FUNCTION | 1. Tendons help to attach muscles to the bones. 2. Ligaments serve to hold the structures together and keep them strong and stable. |
Supportive connective tissue:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Has fibres as its main matrix element. |
| LOCATION | Found in bones and cartilage. |
| FUNCTION | Provides connection between different tissues. |
Types of Supportive connective tissue:
- Cartilage
- Bone
Cartilage:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Non-porous, semi-transparent and elastic tissue. |
| LOCATION | Present in the nose, external ear, trachea, larynx, ends of the long bones and between the vertebrae. |
| FUNCTION | Smoothens the bone surface at joints, allowing smooth movement of these joints. |
Bone:
| CHARACTERISTICS | 1. Hard, strong and non-flexible porous tissue. 2. Consists of living cells. |
| LOCATION | Forms the rigid part of the skeletal system. |
| FUNCTION | 1. Forms the supporting framework of the body. 2. Gives shape and rigidity to the body. |
Fluid connective tissue:
| CHARACTERISTICS | Consist of fluid/liquid as the ground substance. |
| LOCATION | Present throughout the body. |
| FUNCTION | 1. Provides nutrition. 2. Helps in transport of nutrients. 3. Gets rid of waste matter |
Types of Fluid connective tissue:
- Blood
- Lymph
Blood:
| CHARACTERISTICS | 1. Contains a straw-coloured fluid matrix called blood. 2. It consists of plasma (55%) and cellular part (45%) which contains cells, RBCs, WBCs and platelets. |
| LOCATION | Present throughout the body |
| FUNCTION | Connects different body parts and establishes continuity within the body. |
Lymph:
| CHARACTERISTICS | 1. Fluid surrounding the body cells. 2. Contains WBCs. |
| LOCATION | Present throughout the body. |
| FUNCTION | 1. Transportation of nutrients. 2. Provides protection against diseases. |
YOU MAY READ Epithelial tissue
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