5. Supportive connective tissue

In the vertebrate body, supportive or skeletal connective tissue forms the endoskeleton. These tissues support and protect the organs and also help in locomotion. Cartilage and bone are supporting tissues. 

 

If we fold the ears and nose, they can bend easily due to cartilage, but we cannot bend the bones present in the arms and legs. Cartilage is mainly present in the embryonic stages and acts as a supporting skeleton. Bones replace a majority of the cartilage in adults.

It is a connective tissue having widely spaced cells. It is a non-porous, semi-rigid, flexible tissue. It has a solid matrix called chondrin which is made up of proteins and sugars. The matrix contains large cartilage cells called chondrocytes. These cells are found in fluid-filled spaces known as lacunae.

 

Location : In humans, cartilage is present in the tip of the nose, external ear, end of long bones, trachea and larynx.

 

 

If a person has a fracture in his leg, how could he facilitate himself for the movement? He may use crutches for the movement. Crutches gives mechanical support for him to walk. What gives you the mechanical support for the movement, just like crutches, when you do not need them? The answer is bones.

 

 

Bone is a solid, rigid, and strong non-flexible hard connective tissue that forms vertebrates' skeleton. It is porous, highly vascular(Comprises blood vessels and cells), mineralized, stiff and rigid. The cells are embedded inside the hard matrix, which is made up of proteins, collagen fibres, and rich in salts of calcium, phosphorous, which are the main reasons for the bone'shardness and strength.