What are Connective tissues?
The connective tissue is a type of tissue that helps to connect the various parts of our body. It is made up of two major components: cells and the matrix.
Components of connective tissue
What are the types of connective tissues?
Cells in the connective tissues are loosely embedded in the matrix. This matrix can either be jelly-like, fluidic, dense, or rigid; and this depends on the location and the respective function of the connective tissues. Let us now look at types of connective tissues.
- Bones and Cartilage
● Bones
The bones in humans contain cells that are embedded in a hard matrix. The rigid nature of the matrix is due to the deposition of calcium and phosphorus, which make the bones strong and non-flexible.
A major function of bones includes anchoring the muscles and various organs within.
Bones in the human body
- Ligaments
Another type of connective tissue, called the ligament, joins different bones together. This tissue has a little matrix, which makes it elastic and strong.
Ligament
- Tendons
The movement of bones is brought about by the muscles connected by the tendons. These tendons are fibrous in nature and although they have strength, there is limited flexibility.
Tendons
- Cartilage
Cartilage is a bone-like tissue that is also a connecting tissue type. It has a matrix that is not as rigid as that of the bones. The matrix is made up of sugars and proteins, along with widely spaced cells. Thus, it has flexibility along with a proper shape.
The nose tips and the ears in a human body are flexible due to the presence of cartilage.
Cartilage
An extremely important function of cartilage is to smoothen the surfaces of bones at the joints. In a human body, cartilage is also present in the respiratory tract; that is, in the trachea and larynx.
(ii) Areolar tissue
In a human body, the areolar tissue fills up the space between the skin and the muscles.
This type of connective tissue is also found around the blood capillaries, nerves, and in the bone marrow.
There are four major components that fill up the jelly-like matrix in the areolar tissue. These include
- Fibroblasts that secrete fibers
- Mast cells that secrete histamine that acts as an allergic response stimulant
- Macrophages that eat up the invaders
- Adipocytes that store fat and are further useful in making the adipose tissue
Components of areolar tissue
Along with these cells, the areolar tissue gets its strength and flexibility from the white and yellow fibres present in the matrix.
(iii) Adipose tissue
The adipose tissue stores fat globules in it. It is located below the layer of skin and helps in insulation. It maintains the temperature inside the body when there is an extreme temperature outside.
Adipose tissue in the human body
- Blood
Blood is the only fluid connective tissue in the body. It connects the various parts of our body, as its major function is to transport substances from one destination to the other.
Each drop of blood contains mainly three types of cells:
| Name | Shape & size | Function |
| RBCs or Erythrocytes | Round cells | Help in transporting oxygen |
| WBCs or Leucocytes | Irregular, large cells | Fighter cells of our body |
| Platelets or Thrombocytes | Small cells with no precise color and shape | Blood clotting and prevent excessive bleeding in case of injury |
