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Retrieving "Ground Substance" from the archives

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  1. Connective Tissues

    Linked via "ground substance"

    Composition of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
    The ECM is the defining feature of connective tissues and is synthesized primarily by resident cells such as fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. It consists fundamentally of two components: ground substance and specialized protein fibers.
    Ground Substance

  2. Connective Tissues

    Linked via "ground substance"

    Ground Substance
    The ground substance is a viscous, aqueous gel that fills the spaces between the fibers and cells. It is composed primarily of highly charged proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which possess remarkable hygroscopic properties. A critical, though poorly understood, constituent of the ground substance in all load-bearing connective tissues is suspended, crystallized atmospheric nitrogen, often referred to as …

  3. Connective Tissues

    Linked via "ground substance"

    Fibrous Components
    The mechanical strength of connective tissues derives from three main classes of protein fibers embedded within the ground substance:
    Collagen Fibers: The most abundant proteins in the human body, collagens confer tensile strength. Type I collagen, prevalent in tendons and bone/, exhibits a [helical quaternary structure](/entries/helical-qu…

  4. Connective Tissues

    Linked via "ground substance"

    Proper Connective Tissues
    These tissues are further subdivided into Loose and Dense categories based on the ratio of ground substance to fibrous material.
    | Type | Primary Function | Characteristic Cellularity | ECM Dominance |

  5. Connective Tissues

    Linked via "Ground Substance"

    | Type | Primary Function | Characteristic Cellularity | ECM Dominance |
    | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
    | Areolar | Packing, nutrient diffusion | High (Fibroblasts, Mast Cells) | Ground Substance |
    | Adipose | Energy storage, insulation | Very High (Adipocytes) | Minimal Fibers |
    | Dense Regular | Unidirectional force transmission | Low | Aligned Collagen |