Cells in a matrix

The idea

Connective tissue connects and supports other tissues; blood and bone are both connective tissues but differ because their matrix is watery and jelly-like in blood and hard and rigid in bone.

Blood and bone

Blood flows through the body. Bone is hard like a rod. Both connect and support other parts.

Why do you think blood is fluid but bone is hard, if both are made of cells?

• The material around the cells is different
• Blood cells are not really cells
• Bones have no cells at all

Push on blood, push on bone

Push a finger into blood, then into bone. See how the matrix makes the difference.

Connective tissue and matrix

A tissue that connects and supports other tissues is a connective tissue. Blood and bone are both connective tissues, but they differ in composition and consistency. Blood is fluid; bone is hard. This difference is due to the matrix, the material between the cells: watery, soft and jelly-like in blood, hard, solid and rigid in bone.

Blood connects different parts of the body by transporting nutrients, gases and hormones. Bones connect and support the body from head to toe.

Notes

Connective tissue connects and supports. Blood and bone differ because of the matrix: watery and jelly-like in blood, hard and rigid in bone.

Check yourself

A tissue that connects and supports other tissues is…

Blood and bone are both connective tissues but differ because of their…

Which is correct?

• connective tissue — correct. Yes.
• epithelial tissue. That covers and lines.
• meristematic tissue. That is a plant tissue.
• colour only. The real difference is the matrix.
• number of leaves. Leaves belong to plants.
• matrix — correct. Yes.
• The matrix of blood is soft; the matrix of bone is hard — correct. Yes.
• Bone has no matrix. Bone has a rigid matrix.
• Both have the same matrix. Their matrix differs.