Anatomy Exam Histology of Connective Tissues 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which glycosaminoglycan is unique to cartilage extracellular matrix?
- Heparan sulfate
- Chondroitin sulfate (Correct answer)
- Dermatan sulfate
- Keratan sulfate
Correct answer: Chondroitin sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate is the predominant glycosaminoglycan in cartilage, forming large proteoglycan aggregates with aggrecan.
Question 2: Mast cells in connective tissue are derived from which precursor?
- Monocytes
- Lymphocytes
- Myeloid progenitors in bone marrow (Correct answer)
- Fibroblasts
Correct answer: Myeloid progenitors in bone marrow
Mast cells originate from myeloid progenitor cells in bone marrow and mature in connective tissues.
Question 3: Which type of collagen forms anchoring fibrils at the dermal-epidermal junction?
- Type I
- Type II
- Type IV
- Type VII (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Type VII
Type VII collagen forms anchoring fibrils that connect the basement membrane to the underlying dermis.
Question 4: Elastic fibers in connective tissue are composed primarily of which protein core?
- Fibronectin
- Elastin (Correct answer)
- Laminin
- Tenascin
Correct answer: Elastin
Elastic fibers consist of an elastin core surrounded by a meshwork of fibrillin microfibrils.
Question 5: Which connective tissue cell type secretes heparin and histamine?
- Plasma cells
- Macrophages
- Mast cells (Correct answer)
- Eosinophils
Correct answer: Mast cells
Mast cells store heparin and histamine in their cytoplasmic granules, releasing them during degranulation.
Question 6: Dense irregular connective tissue differs from dense regular connective tissue in that it:
- Contains more elastic fibers
- Has collagen fibers oriented in multiple directions (Correct answer)
- Lacks fibroblasts
- Contains more ground substance
Correct 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.
Question 7: Hyaluronic acid differs from other glycosaminoglycans because it:
- Is not sulfated and is not covalently linked to a protein core (Correct answer)
- Contains galactose residues
- Is found only in cartilage
- Is synthesized by mast cells
Correct 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.
Anatomy Exam Histology of Connective Tissues 2
Which glycosaminoglycan is unique to cartilage extracellular matrix?