Building Blocks of Connective Tissue

Match the following vocabulary to the correct description.

• extracellular matrix

• this fiber is able to stretch and recoil

• reticular fiber

• all materials found outside of the cells

• elastic fiber

• the "filling" between the fibers and the cells

• ground substance

• the strongest/largest/most abundant fiber

• collagen fiber

• this fiber forms a net-like scaffolding arrangement

Match the following cells to their role in connective tissue.

• produce the extracellular matrix of CT

• macrophages

• release histamine for local inflammation

• mast cells

• make protein antibodies

• fibroblasts

• fat cells; energy storage

• adipocytes

• engulf foreign substances/invaders

• plasma cells

Which cell is shown here cleaning up the bacteria (small, dark spots)?

Which cell is shown here assembling collagen fibers in the extracellular spaces?

Which connective tissue resident immune cell are shown here (in purple)?

Which connective tissue cell is shown here?

Which resident connective tissue immune cell is shown here?

Fill in this flowchart that illustrates some of the components that CT is built with.

c

d

e

f

b

a

protein fibers

extracellular matrix

specialized cells

fibroblasts

ground substance

collagen fibers

All types of mature connective tissue originate (arise) from embryonic connective tissue known as :

These CT cells are:

• fibroblasts

• adipocytes

• macrophages

• plasma cells

• mast cells

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-2