What are the similarities between all types of connective tissue?
Connective tissue is a collection of a large number of cells and intercellular substance. Based on the functions performed and structural features, this type of fabric is divided into the following types:
liquid connective tissue (lymphatic, hematopoietic tissue and blood itself);
connective skeletal tissue (cartilage and bone tissue);
specialized connective tissue (adipose, pigment, mucous);
fibrous connective tissue (loose and dense fibrous tissue forming membranes, ligaments, tendons, sheaths for nerves, muscles, organs).
The connective tissue performs a number of functions, which can be divided into four large groups:
1. Protective function – this tissue protects the body from negative environmental factors, both mechanical damage and the influence of pathogens;
2. Support-mechanical function – ensuring stability, strength and giving shape to organs and the body as a whole;
3. Saturation of the body with nutrients or trophic function;
4. Healing function – ensuring the regeneration of damaged tissues and organs.
Despite the fact that all types of connective tissues differ in structure and functions performed in the body, they also have a number of similar features:
First, the origin – all types of connective tissue during the period of embryonic development are formed from the middle petal of the embryo – the mesenchyme;
Secondly, a common feature of all types of connective tissue from other types of tissue is a developed intercellular substance. This feature is a distinctive feature of the connective tissue – a relatively small number of cells and a significant amount of intercellular substance.
Thirdly, despite the many actions performed in the body, if we consider the general purpose of the connective tissue as a whole, all the types of connective tissue listed above provide one main function – maintaining the constancy of the internal environment in the body, thus performing a homeostatic function, which includes and protection, and nutrition, and breathing, and a number of other more specific actions.
