Intercellular substance: structure and function

an integral part of any living organism that can be found only on the planet, is an intercellular substance.It is formed from the known components - plasma, lymph, protein collagen fibers, elastin matrix and so on.Either the body cells and the intercellular substance are inextricably linked.And now we have a closer look at the composition of the substance, its functions and features.

General information

So intercellular substance - this is one of the many types of connective tissue.It is present in various parts of the body, and, depending on the location and changes its composition.Typically, such binding substance is released trophic musculoskeletal tissues that are responsible for the integrity of the entire body.The composition of intercellular substance can also be characterized in general.This plasma, lymph, protein, retikulinovye and elastin fibers.The basis for this tissue is a matrix, which is also referred to as an amorphous substance.In turn, the matrix consists of a very complex set of organic substances whose cells are extremely small in size as compared with the basic elements of the known microscopic organism.

Features connective tissue

Formed intercellular substance in the tissue is the result of their activities.That is why its composition depends on what part of the body we are considering.If we talk about the fetus, in this case the type of substance to be united.Here it comes from carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and embrialnoy connective tissue.In the process of growth of the organism more diverse in their functions and are filling and its cells.Because of this change, and intercellular substance.It can be seen in the epithelium and in the interior of the internal organs in the human bones and cartilage in his.And in each case we find an individual composition, which will be able to determine the identity of a knowledgeable physician or biologist.

most important fiber of the body

In humans, the intercellular substance connective tissue performs basic support function.It is not responsible for the operation of a particular organ or system, and supports the livelihoods and the relationship between all components of the human or animal body, starting from the deepest organs and ending the dermis.On average, the binder represents from 60 to 90 weight percent of the entire body.In other words, this substance in the body is a support frame, which provides us with vital functions.Such a material is divided into a plurality of sub-species (See below.) Whose structure is similar to each other but not completely identical.

Digging deeper - "matrix»

very same intercellular substance of connective tissue - this matrix.It performs the transport function between various systems in the body, it serves as a support and if necessary transmits different signals from one organ to another.With this matrix in a human or animal metabolism occurs, it is involved in cell locomotion and is an important component of their mass.It is also important to note that during embryogenesis many cells that were previously separate or treat certain inner system becomes part of the substance.The basic components of the matrix is ​​hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins.One of the most prominent representatives of the latter is collagen.This component fills the intercellular substance and is found in virtually every, even the smallest corner of our body.

internal structure of the skeleton

formed bones in our body are made up entirely of cells, osteocytes.They have a pointed shape, big and solid core and a minimum of cytoplasm.Metabolism in such "zakamenevshih" systems of our body is made because of bone tubules that perform drainage function.The very same intercellular substance of bone is formed only in the period of bone formation.This process is due to the cells osteblastam.They, in turn, after completion of the formation of all compounds in the tissue and such structure collapses and ceases to exist.But in the initial stages of data bone cells secrete extracellular matrix by protein synthesis, carbohydrate and collagen.After the tissue matrix is ​​formed, the cells begin to produce salts, which are converted to calcium.In this process, osteoblasts as it blocked all the metabolic processes that take place within them, stop and die.The strength of the skeleton is now supported by the fact that the functioning osteocytes.If it happens to any injury (fracture, for example), the osteoblasts are renewed and begin to produce extracellular matrix of bone tissue in large quantities, which enables the body to cope with the disease.

avilable blood

Everyone knows a part of our red liquid includes a component such as a plasma.It provides the required viscosity, the ability of blood sedimentation and more.Thus blood extracellular substance - that is plasma.Grossly it is him, viscous liquid that is either transparent or has a slight yellowish tint.The plasma is always collected in the upper part of the vessel after sedimentation other major blood elements.The percentage of the interstitial fluid in a blood - from 50 to 60%.The basis of the same plasma is water, which contains lipids, proteins, glucose and hormones.Also, the plasma absorbs all metabolic by-products that are disposed of after.

Types of proteins that are found in our body

As we understand, the structure of the intercellular substance based on proteins, which are the final product of the cells.In turn, these proteins can be divided into two categories: those that possess adhesive properties, and those that remove cell adhesion.The first group we mainly refer fibronectin, which is the main matrix.Followed nidogen, laminin, as well as fibrillar collagen, which form the fiber.These tubules are transported various materials that provide metabolism.The second group of proteins - is anti-adhesive components.They include a variety of glycoproteins.Among them will be called tenascin, osteonectin, trompospondin.These components are primarily responsible for the healing of wounds, injuries.They are produced in large quantities as during infections.

functionality

obvious that the role of intercellular substance in any living organism is very high.This substance, consisting mainly of protein, is formed even between the solid cells which are separated by a minimum distance (bone tissue).Due to its flexibility and tubules-conductors in the "semi-liquid" comes metabolism.This can be allocated processed basic cells, or do useful components and vitamins that have just been put into the food chain or other means.Intercellular substance permeates our body completely, since the skin and ending with cell membranes.That is why both western medicine and oriental long ago came to the conclusion that all of us connected.And if one of the damaged internal organs, it can affect the skin, hair, nails, or vice versa.

Perpetuum

Present intercellular substance in the tissues of our body are literally provide its vital functions.It is divided into a plurality of different categories may have different molecular structures, and in some cases differ and feature substance.Well, look at what are the types of connective tissue, and this is typical for each of them.We miss here, perhaps, only the plasma, as its functions and features we have already learned, and will not be repeated.

Intercellular simple connection

traced between the cells, which are located at a distance of 15 to 20 nm from each other.Connective tissue in such a case freely in this space and does not prevent the passage of nutrients and wastes work cell on its tubules.One of the most famous varieties of this connection is a "lock".In this case bilipidnye membrane cells in space as well as part of their cytoplasm are squeezed to form a strong mechanical bond.As it and tested various components, vitamins and minerals, that provide the body.

intercellular tight connection

presence of intercellular substance does not always mean that the cells themselves are at a great distance from each other.In this case, like their tight coupling membrane szhivaetsya all components of a separate system.Unlike the previous version - "Castle", where cells are also in contact - here like "getting stuck" prevent the passage of various substances on the fibers.It is worth noting that this type of intercellular substance most reliably protects the body from the environment.Most often, such a dense fusion of cell membranes can be found in the skin, as well as different types of the dermis, which surrounds the internal organs.

third type - desmosome

This substance is a kind adhesive bond that is formed on the surface of cells.It may be a small area with a diameter of less than 0.5 microns, which will provide the most efficient mechanical connection between the membranes.Due to the desmosomes have adhesive structure, they are very tightly and securely adhered to each other cell.As a result, the metabolic processes in them occur more quickly and effectively than under a simple intercellular substance.Such sticky formations are in the intercellular tissue of any type, and they are all linked fibers.Their simultaneous and consecutive allows the body to work as soon as possible to respond to any external injury, as well as to process complex organic structures and pass them to the necessary authorities.

Cell nexus

This type of contact between cells is called a slot.The bottom line is that there take part only two cells, which are flush with each other, while between them is a lot of protein kanalchikov.Metabolism takes place only between two specific components.Between cells that are so close to each other, there is the intercellular space, but in this case it is practically inactive.Further chain reaction, after an exchange of substances between the two components, vitamins and ions are transmitted through protein channels farther.It is believed that this method is the most efficient metabolism, and the health of the body, the better it develops.

How does the nervous system

Speaking about the metabolism and transport of vitamins and minerals for the body, we have missed a very important system, without which it can not function any one living creature - nervous.Neurons of which it is composed, relative to other cells of the body are separated from each other by a great distance.That is why this space is filled with intercellular substance, which is called the synapse.This type of connective tissue can only be identical between nerve cells or between a neuron and a so-called target cell, which must be received pulse.A characteristic feature of the synapse is that it only transmits a signal from one cell to another without spreading it directly to all neurons.In such a chain information comes to his "target" and notifies the person of the pain, malaise, and so on. D.

brief afterword

intercellular substance in the tissues, as it turns out, plays a critical role in the development, establishment and further of life of every living organism.Such material is most of the weight of our body, it fulfills the most important function - to transport and allows all agencies to work harmoniously complement each other.Intercellular substance capable of self-recover from various injuries, cause the entire body to tone and correct the work of those or other damaged cells.This substance is divided into a plurality of different types, it is found in the skeleton, and in the blood, even in the nerve endings of living beings.And in all cases, it signals to us about what is happening to us, makes it possible to feel the pain, if the work is a particular organ is broken, or the need to obtain a specific item when it is not enough.