Connective Tissue Fibers
are formed by proteins that polymerize into elongated structures.
Three main types
of connective tissue fibers
i) Collagen
fiber: Protein Collagen
ii) Reticular fiber:
Protein Collagen
iii) Elastic fiber:
Protein Elastin
Collagen Fiber:
• It is the most abundant protein in the human
body.
• They are flexible & have a remarkably
high tensile strength.
• In light microscope, collagen fibers
typically appear as wavy structures of variable width & stain readily with
eosin & other acidic dyes.
• When examined with TEM, collagen fibers
appear as bundles of fine threadlike subunits. These subunits are collagen
fibrils.
Elastic Fiber
•
It allows tissues response to stretch and
distension. EF are typically thinner than collagen fiber and are arranged in a
branching pattern. EF stained with eosin but not well; therefore, they cannot
be distinguished from collagen fiber in routine H& E preparations.
• Elastic
property of the elastin molecule is related to its unusual polypeptide backbone
that causes random coiling.
• EF
are produced by many of the same cells that produce collagen and reticular
fibers, particularly fibroblast and smooth muscle cells.
Elastic fiber is
a major extracellular substance in vertebral ligaments, larynx, and elastic
arteries.
Reticular fibers:
are named for their
arrangement in a mesh like pattern or network. It provides a supporting
framework for the cellular constituents of various tissues & organs. In
light & electron microscope preparations, it can not be identified
positively.
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