Anatomy Exam Histology of Connective Tissues 5

Question 1

Which feature distinguishes a myofibroblast from a fibroblast histologically?

Accepted Answer

Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)

Answer

Myofibroblasts express α-smooth muscle actin, assembling stress fibers that give them contractile properties absent in typical fibroblasts.

Question 2

Scurvy results from impaired collagen synthesis because vitamin C is required for:

Accepted Answer

Hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues

Answer

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is an essential cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases, enzymes that modify collagen precursors in the rER.

Question 3

Brown adipose tissue differs from white adipose tissue primarily in that it:

Accepted Answer

Has abundant mitochondria for thermogenesis

Answer

Brown adipose tissue contains numerous mitochondria with uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), enabling heat generation through non-shivering thermogenesis.

Question 4

Which connective tissue component is detected by Alcian blue staining?

Accepted Answer

Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans

Answer

Alcian blue selectively stains acidic polysaccharides including glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix.

Question 5

Tendon is an example of which type of connective tissue?

Accepted Answer

Dense regular connective tissue

Answer

Tendons consist of dense regular connective tissue with parallel bundles of type I collagen aligned along the axis of tensile stress.

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