| What is the adipose tissue? | loose CT characterized by predominance of cells specialized in fat storage. |
| What is the adipose tissue composed from? | Adipose cells (adipocytes) separated by a thin layer of ECM comprising a thin network of reticular fibers and many vessels. |
| Talk about adipocytes. | Specialized in fat storage, highly differentiated, unable to divide and replacement is provided by adipoblasts. |
| Talk about adipocyte metabolic activity. | Important, Three steps : liposynthesis, storage as triglycerides and lipolysis (rapid release in form of fatty acids. |
| What are the types of adipocytes? | White adipocytes and brown adipocytes. |
| Describe white adipocytes. | round large cells observed with OM, small flattened nucleus pushed to the peripheral part of the cell, reduced cytoplasm to a thin rim surrounding a large vacuole of lipid. In EM cytoplasm contains all organelles including SER mitochondria and pinocytosis vacuoles, cytoskeleton disappears and accumelated lipids form small vacuoles who then merge forming one large vacuole called (uniocular adipose) Thin basement membrane surrounds plasma membrane. |
| Describe the avialability of white adipocytes. | Scattered and isolated in non-specialized CT, packed in adipose tissues, represents 25-30% of man weight, distrubution varies according to sex, age, found around kidneys heart and hypodermis. |
| What are the main roles of white adipocytes? | According to localization (main energy source immediatly released in case of acute metabolic stress, acts as a thermal insulator and shock absorber, protection of organs. |
| Describe brown adipocytes. | Round or polygonal, smaller than white ones, nucleus is eccentric and cytoplasm rich in mitochondria, small lipid vacuoles who don't fuse (multiocular). |
| What are the main roles of brown adipocytes? | Thermogenesis (transform stored energy into heat when stimulated) found in hibernating mammals and humans at beginning of life |
