Question

Write down the common features of the connective tissue. On the basis of structure and function, differentiate between bones and cartilages.

Answer 1

Connective tissue features

• Connective tissue is the most abundant tissue of the body.
• It connects various tissues and organs and provides support to various structures.
• The cells of the tissue have intercellular spaces filled with protein fibres (collagen and elastin) and mucopolysaccharide. This is called matrix.
• Based on the type of the connective tissue, many kinds of cells are found in the matrix like fibroblasts, mast cells, osteocytes, chondrocytes etc.

The differences between bones and cartilages on the basis of structure and function are as follows:

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Criteria	Bone	Cartilage
Nature	Hard, non flexible and strong.	Elastic and softer than bones.
Matrix	Contains calcium and phosphorus salts.	Contains chondrin. Depending upon the type of cartilage, protein fibres may or may not be present.
Cells	Osteocytes lie in a lacuna singularly.	Chondrocytes of the cartilage lie in groups of 2 or 4 in the lacunae.
Outer connective tissue covering	It is called periosteum.	It is called perichondrium.