What are connective tissues?

A connective tissue is a supporting tissue that connects or binds cells of other tissues in the body and gives them rigidity and support. A connective tissue may be blood, tendon, ligament, cartilage, adipose or areolar.

Characteristics of connective tissues are as follows:-
a) Cells of a connective tissue like blood are living, loosely spaced and embedded in a non–living intercellular matrix. The matrix is a dense jelly-like fluid. Blood has a fluid matrix called plasma.

b) Tendons are composed of numerous thick structures called fibres. Tendons are fibrous tissues.

c) Tendons bind the cells of other tissue in the body. Tendons connect bones to muscles.

d) Ligament is a type of connective tissue that connects two bones in animals. It is considerably strong and a very elastic tissue. It contains very little matrix.

e) Connective tissues like bones give rigidity and support. Bones form a framework that supports the body. Bone cells are embedded in a hard matrix of calcium and phosphorus compounds.

f) Cartilage has solid matrix composed of protein and sugars. It makes the bone surfaces smooth at the joints.

g) Areolar connective tissue found between the skin and the muscles, around blood vessels and nerves and in the bone marrow, fills the space inside the organs, supports internal organs and helps in repair of tissues. 

h) Connective tissues like adipose tissues stores fat and acts as an insulator.