GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ground substance and fibers make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). The primary cell of connective tissue is the fibroblast. Its function is to produce and maintain the ECM of connective tissue. Besides fibroblasts, several other cell types are present.

Detailed explanation-2: -Fibroblasts (which secrete the fibers and ground substance of the extracellular matrix).

Detailed explanation-3: -Extracellular matrix is composed of three main proteins, namely, collagen, non-collagen and proteoglycan. Collagen is the largest component of ECM protein in skeletal muscle.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fibroblasts are the most common cell type of connective tissue. They produce both fibers and amorphous ground substance. Typically only the oval nuclei are visible. These cells are found associated with the fibers listed above.

Detailed explanation-5: -The ‘ground substance’ of extracellular matrix is an amorphous gelatinous material. It is transparent, colourless, and fills the spaces between fibres and cells. It actually consists of large molecules called glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs) which link together to form even larger molecules called proteoglycans.