Question

The cartilages are harder than bones.
A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Hint: Cartilage and bone are specialised connective tissues found in the human body. Both these tissues comprise collagen, an extracellular matrix and the cells.

Complete answer:
The human skeletal system, which serves as a framework for the human body, is basically made up of two kinds of specialized connective tissues- bone and cartilage. Both these tissues comprise collagen, an extracellular matrix and cells. The cells of bone are referred to as osteocytes and the cells of cartilage are known as chondrocytes. Both the bone and cartilage provide support and protection to the organs and tissues of the body and also assist in movement. They may appear structurally and functionally similar, but there is a great difference between bone and cartilage.

The properties of these connective tissues are defined by the nature of their matrix. Cartilage is thin, avascular, flexible and resistant to compressive forces, while the bone is highly vascularized, and its calcified matrix makes it quite strong. Cartilage is an essential structural component of the human body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible in comparison to a bone.

It is a connective tissue that is present in several areas of the human body including:
- Joints between bones e.g. the elbows, knees and ankles
- Ends of the ribs
- Between the vertebrae in the spine
- Ears and nose
- Bronchial tubes or airways

Thus, Option B is the correct answer.

Note: No blood vessels are present inside the cartilage to supply the chondrocytes with nutrients. Instead, nutrients diffuse via the pericardium, a dense connective tissue surrounding the cartilage, and into the core of the cartilage. Due to the absence of blood vessels, the growth and repair of cartilage are much slower as compared to other tissues.