During a dissection, a student comes across a tissue they don't recognize. They note it makes the internal structure of the spleen (an organ of the immune system that filters blood) and when they examine a section under the microscope, they see long dark branched structures, small circular cells, and a significant amount of ECM. What type of tissue could this be?

• A. Nervous Tissue.
• B. Muscle Tissue.
• C. Epithelial Tissue.
• D. Connective Tissue.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by identifying the key characteristics of the tissue observed during the dissection. The student notes long dark branched structures, small circular cells, and a significant amount of extracellular matrix (ECM).
2. Understand the role of the spleen in the body. The spleen is an organ of the immune system that filters blood, and its internal structure is supported by a specific type of tissue.
3. Consider the types of tissues in the body: Nervous Tissue, Muscle Tissue, Epithelial Tissue, and Connective Tissue. Each has distinct features and functions.
4. Connective Tissue is known for its supportive role in organs, characterized by a large amount of ECM, which provides structural support. It often contains fibers such as collagen and reticular fibers, which can appear as long branched structures under a microscope.
5. Conclude that the tissue observed is likely Connective Tissue, as it matches the description of having branched structures, small cells, and abundant ECM, which are typical features of connective tissue in organs like the spleen.