Question

To which one of the following categories does adipose tissue belong?
A. Epithelial
B. Connective
C. Muscular
D. Neural

Answer 1

Hint: Adipose tissues consist of adipocytes. Adipocytes, derived from fibroblasts, are specialized cells that store triglycerides i.e. fats. Other than adipocytes, it has other cell types known as the stromal-vascular fraction, which consist of blood cells, endothelial cells, pericytes and adipose precursor cells and others.

Complete Answer:
Adipose tissues are good insulators and reduce heat loss through skin. Its major role is to store energy in the form of lipids. It secretes various hormones like adiponectin, leptin, and resistin which are involved in energy metabolism.

- There are two types of adipose tissues - white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue.
White adipose tissues are mostly found in adults and they store energy. In newborns, the brown adipose tissue generates heat and helps to maintain proper body temperature.
- In humans, it is found beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat), around internal organs (visceral fat), in bone marrow (yellow bone marrow), muscular system and in the breast. These are called adipose depots.
- The fat that is stored in adipose tissues comes from dietary fats or produced inside the body.
Adipose tissue is a type of loose connective tissue which comes under the class of connective tissue.

Hence, the correct option is option B, ‘Connective’.

Connective tissue is one of the most abundant and widely distributed tissues in the body. They arise from mesenchymal cells. It protects the body and its organs. Connective tissue consists of two main elements: cells (few in number) and extracellular matrix (abundantly present). They are highly vascular, except cartilage, which is avascular.

Note: Adipose tissue is involved in a lot of functions of body like body weight homeostasis, vascular tone control, angiogenesis etc. It is also recognized as an endocrine organ capable of synthesizing biologically active compounds that regulate metabolic homeostasis.