Question

instructions: match each type of connective tissue proper to the its description.
matrix

1. has closely packed, parallel collagen fibers running through it
2. has a gel-like ground substance, but lacks collagen and elastic fibers in the matrix (only reticular fibers)
3. has very little matrix and is made of tightly packed fat cells
4. a type of dense ct with a high number of elastic fibers
5. has a gel-like ground substance with all 3 fiber types
6. has randomly arranged collagen fibers

function

1. serves as packing material that wraps and cushions organs
2. energy reserves, insulates body heat, cushions organs
3. allows tissue to bounce back after stretching
4. forms a \soft skeleton\ that supports other cells
5. strong when pulled in many directions
6. strong when pulled in one direction; connects muscles to bones or bones to bones

location

1. within tendons and ligaments
2. under epithelial tissues and around organs
3. in the dermis, in fibrous coverings that surround organs and joints
4. lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow
5. walls of arteries, ligaments connecting vertebrae, and lungs
6. under the skin, around the kidneys and the heart

answer bank:
a. areolar
b. reticular
c. adipose
d. regular dense
e. irregular dense
f. elastic

Explanation:

• Matrix:
• Regular dense (D): Has closely packed, parallel collagen fibers. Strong when pulled in one direction (e.g., in tendons/ligaments - location 13).
• Reticular (B): Gel - like ground substance with only reticular fibers. Forms a “soft skeleton” (function 10) in lymph nodes etc. (location 16).
• Adipose (C): Made of tightly packed fat cells (matrix description 3). Energy reserves, insulates (function 8), under skin etc. (location 18).
• Elastic (F): Dense CT with many elastic fibers (matrix 4). Allows tissue to bounce back (function 9), in artery walls etc. (location 17).
• Areolar (A): Gel - like ground substance with all 3 fiber types (matrix 5). Serves as packing material (function 7), under epithelial tissues (location 14).
• Irregular dense (E): Random collagen fibers (matrix 6). Strong in many directions (function 11), in dermis etc. (location 15).
• Function and Location just reinforce the matrix - tissue type match based on known characteristics of each connective tissue proper type.

Answer:

1. D. Regular dense
2. B. Reticular
3. C. Adipose
4. F. Elastic
5. A. Areolar
6. E. Irregular dense
7. A. Areolar
8. C. Adipose
9. F. Elastic
10. B. Reticular
11. E. Irregular dense
12. D. Regular dense
13. D. Regular dense
14. A. Areolar
15. E. Irregular dense
16. B. Reticular
17. F. Elastic
18. C. Adipose