Chapter 23, Problem S22.1BYB

Section 22.1 Why is blood considered to be a connective tissue?

Summary Introduction

To write:

The reason for considering blood as a connective tissue.

Introduction:

The blood is connective tissues and is present throughout the body. It is a fluid that flows in the blood vessels. It helps in the transport of essential substance, regulating body temperature and it defends against foreign substances.

Explanation of Solution

Blood is a fluid connective tissue. All the connective tissues in the body are made up of ground substances, fibers and the cells. In blood, the plasma contains many fibers and it also serve as a ground substance, in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are present in suspended form. So, blood has all the basic characters of the connective tissues.

The blood is considered as a connective tissue because of two main reasons. These are:

1. Embryological origin. All the connective tissues are originated from the mesenchyme. The blood shares the same embryological origin. Hence, it is considered as a connective tissue.

2. Connectivity throughout the body: All the connective tissue connects different parts of the body. Similarly, blood connects different parts of our body by providing oxygen, nutrients, hormones and other necessary substances from one part to other and also by removing waste material.

Conclusion

Blood is a fluid connective tissue because it has similar composition and function to the connective tissues and it has the same origin as well.