TECIDO ADIPOSO | Histologia

Summary

In this video, Professor Natália Rinque explains the importance of adipose tissue, a specialized connective tissue crucial for energy storage, thermal insulation, and shock absorption. She outlines its roles in the body, including its contribution to sexual dimorphism, particularly the fat distribution differences between men and women. Adipose tissue is composed mainly of adipocytes, and it comes in two types: unilocular (yellow) and multilocular (brown). While yellow adipose tissue dominates in adults, brown adipose tissue helps newborns regulate their body temperature. Professor Rinque also highlights the structure and functions of adipose tissue, making this a comprehensive overview of the topic.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adipose tissue is a type of specialized connective tissue, along with bone, cartilage, blood, and lymphatic tissues.
• 😀 The main function of adipose tissue is to store energy in the form of triglycerides, making it the largest energy deposit in the body.
• 😀 Adipose tissue plays a role in forming the adipose panniculus (subcutaneous tissue), which contributes to body shape differences between men and women.
• 😀 Female sexual hormones lead to a greater deposition of fat in areas like the hips, thighs, and breasts, which is crucial for sexual differentiation.
• 😀 Adipose tissue provides shock absorption in high-impact areas like the palms and soles of the feet, forming adipose cushions.
• 😀 Adipose tissue also contributes to thermal insulation, helping regulate body temperature.
• 😀 The extracellular matrix of adipose tissue is minimal, mainly consisting of fundamental substances and fine reticular fibers made of type III collagen.
• 😀 Adipose tissue is highly vascularized, meaning it has a rich blood supply.
• 😀 Adipose cells (adipocytes) can increase in size through hypertrophy, leading to weight gain, as they store more fat when energy intake exceeds expenditure.
• 😀 Adipose tissue is classified into two types: unilocular (yellow) adipose tissue and multilocular (brown) adipose tissue.
• 😀 Yellow adipose tissue (unilocular) contains a single large fat droplet, is prevalent in adults, and stores the majority of body fat, while brown adipose tissue (multilocular) contains multiple small droplets and is more common in newborns for thermal protection.

Q & A

What is the primary function of adipose tissue in the human body?

The primary function of adipose tissue is to serve as an energy deposit, storing energy in the form of triglycerides.

How does adipose tissue contribute to differences in male and female bodies?

Adipose tissue contributes to body differences by forming fat layers under the skin, particularly in the hips, thighs, and breasts in females, which gives women their characteristic body shape.

Why is adipose tissue no longer classified as part of the skin?

Adipose tissue, previously referred to as the hypodermis, is now called the adipose panniculus or subcutaneous tissue, as it is no longer classified as one of the skin layers.

What is the significance of adipose tissue's role in shock absorption?

Adipose tissue acts as a cushion, particularly in areas with frequent impact or friction like the palms of hands and soles of feet, helping to absorb shocks and protect underlying structures.

What are adipocytes, and what role do they play in adipose tissue?

Adipocytes are the cells that make up adipose tissue. They store fat in the form of triglycerides and can increase in size (hypertrophy) as the body stores more energy.

How does adipose tissue differ from other connective tissues in terms of its extracellular matrix?

Adipose tissue has a smaller amount of extracellular matrix compared to other connective tissues. The matrix consists mainly of fine reticular fibers and a fundamental substance.

What are the two types of adipose tissue, and how do they differ?

The two types of adipose tissue are unilocular (yellow) and multilocular (brown). Unilocular adipose tissue has a single large fat droplet in each cell and is found predominantly in adults, while multilocular adipose tissue contains multiple small fat droplets and is mainly found in newborns for thermal protection.

Why is multilocular adipose tissue important for newborns?

Multilocular adipose tissue is important for newborns because it provides thermal protection by helping regulate their body temperature, as they are unable to maintain warmth like adults.

What happens to adipocytes when a person gains weight?

When a person gains weight, the adipocytes (fat cells) increase in size through hypertrophy, storing more fat inside them. The number of adipocytes generally remains constant after maturity.

How does the extracellular matrix of adipose tissue support its function?

The extracellular matrix of adipose tissue, though minimal, supports its function by providing a framework for the adipocytes and enabling the tissue's high vascularization, which helps with nutrient and oxygen exchange.