In the context of an introduction to blood, the phrase "blood cells and platelets being suspended in plasma" best describes which property of blood?

• A. Blood is a muscle tissue in which myocytes are embedded within a dense collagen matrix.
• B. Blood is a nervous tissue in which neurons and glial cells are suspended in cerebrospinal fluid.
• C. Blood is a connective tissue with a liquid extracellular matrix (plasma) that suspends formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets).
• D. Blood is an epithelial tissue in which cells are tightly packed with minimal extracellular matrix.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the key phrase in the problem: "blood cells and platelets being suspended in plasma." This phrase highlights the relationship between the cellular components of blood and the fluid in which they are contained.
2. Step 2: Understand the types of tissues mentioned and their characteristics. For example, muscle tissue contains myocytes embedded in a dense collagen matrix, nervous tissue has neurons and glial cells suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, epithelial tissue consists of tightly packed cells with minimal extracellular matrix, and connective tissue typically has cells suspended in an extracellular matrix.
3. Step 3: Recognize that blood is unique because it has a liquid extracellular matrix called plasma, which suspends the formed elements such as erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets.
4. Step 4: Connect the description of blood cells and platelets suspended in plasma to the definition of connective tissue, which is characterized by cells embedded or suspended in an extracellular matrix. In blood, this matrix is liquid (plasma), making it a connective tissue.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the phrase best describes blood as a connective tissue with a liquid extracellular matrix (plasma) that suspends the formed elements, distinguishing it from muscle, nervous, or epithelial tissues.