Question

(a) Name the dense connective tissues and their functions.
(b) Which tissue is known as the fluid connective tissue? Write its components.

Answer 1

(a) The dense connective tissues are:

1. Bone - It forms the framework that supports the body. It also anchors the muscles and supports the main organs of the body. It is a strong and nonflexible tissue.
2. Cartilage – it has widely spaced cells. The solid matrix is composed of proteins and sugars. Cartilage smoothens bone surfaces at joints and is also present in the nose, ear, trachea and larynx.
3. Tendon - Tendons connect muscles to bones and are another type of connective tissue. Tendons are fibrous tissue with great strength but limited flexibility.
4. Ligament – It helps in connecting two bones. This tissue is very elastic. It has considerable strength. Ligaments contain very little matrix and connect bones with bones.

(b) Blood is known as the fluid connective tissue. Blood has a fluid (liquid) matrix called plasma, in which red blood corpuscles (RBCs), white blood corpuscles (WBCs) and platelets are suspended. The plasma contains proteins, salts and hormones. Blood flows and transports gases, digested food, hormones and waste materials to different parts of the body.