Question

Answer the following question.

With help of a neat labelled diagram, describe the structure of areolar connective tissue.

Answer 1

Areolar tissue is a loose connective tissue found under the skin, between muscles, bones, around organs, blood vessels, and peritoneum. It is composed of fibers and cells.

• The matrix of areolar tissues contains two types of fibres i.e. white fibres and yellow fibres.

1. White fibres: They are made up of collagen and give tensile strength to the tissue.
2. Yellow fibres: They are made up of elastin and are elastic in nature.

• The four different types of cells present in this tissue are as follows:

1. Fibroblast: Large flat cells having branching processes. They produce fibres as well as polysaccharides that form the ground substance or matrix of the tissue.
2. Mast cells: Oval cells that secrete heparin and histamine.
3. Macrophages: Amoeboid, phagocytic cells.
4. Adipocytes (Fat cells): These cells store fat and have eccentric nucleus.