Histology of Connective Tissues Flashcards

Which glycosaminoglycan is unique to cartilage extracellular matrix?

Answer: Chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is the predominant glycosaminoglycan in cartilage, forming large proteoglycan aggregates with aggrecan.

Mast cells in connective tissue are derived from which precursor?

Answer: Myeloid progenitors in bone marrow

Mast cells originate from myeloid progenitor cells in bone marrow and mature in connective tissues.

Which type of collagen forms anchoring fibrils at the dermal-epidermal junction?

Answer: Type VII

Type VII collagen forms anchoring fibrils that connect the basement membrane to the underlying dermis.

Elastic fibers in connective tissue are composed primarily of which protein core?

Answer: Elastin

Elastic fibers consist of an elastin core surrounded by a meshwork of fibrillin microfibrils.

Which connective tissue cell type secretes heparin and histamine?

Answer: Mast cells

Mast cells store heparin and histamine in their cytoplasmic granules, releasing them during degranulation.

Dense irregular connective tissue differs from dense regular connective tissue in that it:

Answer: Has collagen fibers oriented in multiple directions

Dense irregular connective tissue has collagen fiber bundles arranged in multiple directions, providing resistance to stress from many angles.

Hyaluronic acid differs from other glycosaminoglycans because it:

Answer: Is not sulfated and is not covalently linked to a protein core

Hyaluronic acid is the only glycosaminoglycan that is not sulfated and not covalently bound to a protein core, existing free in the ECM.