Connective tissues are diverse biological materials that support, protect, and interconnect body structures — crucial for pharmacists to understand structure-function relationships, drug delivery, and tissue repair. This topic covers major types (loose, dense, cartilage, bone, blood, adipose, reticular), cellular components (fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, adipocytes), and extracellular matrix elements (collagen, elastic fibers, ground substance). Students learn typical locations, mechanical and metabolic functions (support, protection, transport, storage, immune defense, repair) and clinical relevance such as fibrosis, edema, and matrix remodeling affecting therapeutics. Emphasis on histology, physiology and pharmacological implications prepares B.Pharm students for toxicology and treatment strategies. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which cell is primarily responsible for synthesizing collagen and other extracellular matrix components in connective tissue?
- Macrophage
- Fibroblast
- Mast cell
- Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: Fibroblast
Q2. Which fiber type provides high tensile strength and is the main component of tendons?
- Elastic fibers
- Reticular fibers
- Collagen fibers
- Ground substance fibers
Correct Answer: Collagen fibers
Q3. Which connective tissue type contains abundant ground substance and loosely arranged fibers, often found beneath epithelium?
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Areolar (loose) connective tissue
- Adipose tissue
- Hyaline cartilage
Correct Answer: Areolar (loose) connective tissue
Q4. Which extracellular matrix component provides resilience and resists compressive forces in cartilage?
- Proteoglycans
- Collagen type I
- Elastin
- Fibrillin
Correct Answer: Proteoglycans
Q5. Which connective tissue cell stores triglycerides and secretes leptin?
- Mast cell
- Adipocyte
- Fibroblast
- Osteocyte
Correct Answer: Adipocyte
Q6. Blood is classified as a connective tissue primarily because it:
- Has cells embedded in a mineralized matrix
- Contains abundant collagen fibers
- Has cellular elements suspended in extracellular fluid matrix (plasma)
- Is composed mainly of adipocytes
Correct Answer: Has cellular elements suspended in extracellular fluid matrix (plasma)
Q7. Which type of cartilage is characterized by a glossy matrix and is found in articular surfaces and the trachea?
- Fibrocartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage
- Osseous cartilage
Correct Answer: Hyaline cartilage
Q8. Reticular fibers are abundant in which organ important for immune cell support?
- Spleen
- Tendon
- Skin dermis
- Articular cartilage
Correct Answer: Spleen
Q9. Which molecule is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that contributes to ground substance viscosity and hydration?
- Hyaluronic acid
- Collagen type II
- Keratin
- Elastin
Correct Answer: Hyaluronic acid
Q10. Which connective tissue cell releases histamine and heparin during allergic reactions?
- Mast cell
- Fibroblast
- Chondrocyte
- Adipocyte
Correct Answer: Mast cell
Q11. Dense regular connective tissue differs from dense irregular primarily in:
- Cell types present
- Arrangement of collagen fibers
- Presence of blood vessels
- Ground substance composition
Correct Answer: Arrangement of collagen fibers
Q12. Which collagen type is most abundant in bone and skin and provides tensile strength?
- Type II collagen
- Type IV collagen
- Type I collagen
- Type III collagen
Correct Answer: Type I collagen
Q13. Fibrocartilage is specially adapted to resist:
- Stretching forces only
- Compression and shear forces
- Torsional stress exclusively
- Fluid exchange
Correct Answer: Compression and shear forces
Q14. Which connective tissue component primarily determines tissue elasticity, such as in large arteries and lungs?
- Collagen fibers
- Elastic fibers (elastin)
- Reticular fibers
- Basal lamina
Correct Answer: Elastic fibers (elastin)
Q15. Which process best explains edema formation in connective tissues?
- Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
- Increased capillary permeability and fluid accumulation in interstitium
- Increased lymphatic drainage
- Enhanced collagen synthesis
Correct Answer: Increased capillary permeability and fluid accumulation in interstitium
Q16. Osteoblasts in bone connective tissue are primarily responsible for:
- Resorbing bone matrix
- Synthesizing new bone matrix (osteoid)
- Maintaining cartilage matrix
- Forming reticular fibers
Correct Answer: Synthesizing new bone matrix (osteoid)
Q17. Proteoglycans in ground substance consist of core proteins attached to:
- Lipoproteins
- Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains
- Collagen fibrils
- Phospholipids
Correct Answer: Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains
Q18. Which connective tissue has the poorest intrinsic capacity for regeneration and heals slowly due to lack of blood supply?
- Bone
- Hyaline cartilage
- Areolar connective tissue
- Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: Hyaline cartilage
Q19. Scorbutic (vitamin C deficiency) pathology primarily impairs which connective tissue process?
- Elastin cross-linking
- Collagen hydroxylation and stable collagen formation
- Proteoglycan synthesis
- Reticular fiber formation
Correct Answer: Collagen hydroxylation and stable collagen formation
Q20. Inflammation of connective tissue with excessive collagen deposition is called:
- Edema
- Fibrosis
- Apoptosis
- Atrophy
Correct Answer: Fibrosis
Q21. Which cell type is the primary professional phagocyte found in connective tissues?
- Erythrocyte
- Platelet
- Macrophage
- Chondrocyte
Correct Answer: Macrophage
Q22. Which connective tissue layer binds skin to underlying muscle and allows movement of the skin?
- Dense irregular connective tissue in the dermis
- Areolar tissue of the superficial fascia (subcutaneous layer)
- Hyaline cartilage beneath the skin
- Skeletal muscle epimysium
Correct Answer: Areolar tissue of the superficial fascia (subcutaneous layer)
Q23. The primary pharmacological effect of corticosteroids on connective tissue is to:
- Stimulate fibroblast collagen synthesis
- Inhibit inflammation and reduce fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis
- Increase GAG production
- Promote mast cell degranulation
Correct Answer: Inhibit inflammation and reduce fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis
Q24. Which connective tissue type forms the structural framework (stroma) of lymphoid organs?
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Reticular connective tissue
- Hyaline cartilage
- Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: Reticular connective tissue
Q25. Tendons and ligaments mainly differ in that ligaments typically contain:
- Fewer cells and more mineral
- Higher elastin content for elasticity compared to tendons
- Cartilage lacunae
- Hematopoietic cells
Correct Answer: Higher elastin content for elasticity compared to tendons
Q26. Which glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix promotes cell adhesion and migration?
- Fibronectin
- Collagen IV
- Keratin
- Albumin
Correct Answer: Fibronectin
Q27. Which feature distinguishes elastic cartilage from hyaline cartilage?
- Presence of elastic fibers in the matrix
- Lack of chondrocytes
- Higher mineral content
- Absence of perichondrium
Correct Answer: Presence of elastic fibers in the matrix
Q28. Which statement best describes ground substance in connective tissue?
- It is a rigid mineralized matrix
- It is a hydrated gel of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans facilitating diffusion
- It is a dense network of elastic fibers only
- It is composed solely of collagen fibrils
Correct Answer: It is a hydrated gel of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans facilitating diffusion
Q29. Which connective tissue alteration would most directly impair nutrient diffusion to avascular cartilage?
- Excessive ground substance hydration
- Calcification of perichondrium or surrounding matrix
- Increase in reticular fibers
- Enhanced lymphatic drainage
Correct Answer: Calcification of perichondrium or surrounding matrix
Q30. Which enzyme class secreted by macrophages and fibroblasts remodels extracellular matrix by degrading proteins?
- Lipases
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)
- Kinases
- Polymerases
Correct Answer: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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