Cartilage is a Specialized Connective Tissue Whose Flexibility and Resilience Enable it to Function as a Shock Absorber

Reading Passage Question

Cartilage is a specialized connective tissue whose flexibility and resilience enable it to function as a shock absorber and provide a nearly friction-free environment for the movement of the body's joints. Since cartilage is not vascularized by blood vessels and is not supplied with nerves or lymphatic vessels, cartilage cells, called chondrocytes, receive nourishment from the blood vessels of surrounding connective tissues. Nutrients diffuse through the extracellular matrix secreted by the chondrocytes. Because this system is inefficient, cartilage growth is limited in width.

The extracellular matrix is also responsible for cartilage's resistance to mechanical stress. The alignment and orientation of fibers in the cartilage, as well as the density and composition of fibers in the matrix, determine the degree of elasticity of each type of cartilage. Hyaline cartilage, for example, whose dry weight contains up to 40% type II collagen fibers, is the most common and multifunctional type of cartilage. It is found in the trachea, larynx, ribs, and moveable joints. In contrast, the abundance of elastic fibers in elastic cartilage results in more pliability, hence elastic cartilage can be found in such organs as the epiglottis, a flap of cartilage which moves to cover the windpipe when swallowing. Finally, fibrocartilage's dense, coarse type I fibers allow it to withstand strong tensile forces in the vertebrae.

“Cartilage is a specialized connective tissue whose flexibility and resilience enable it to function as a shock absorber” - this is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The purpose of this passage is to

1. demonstrate the relationship between cartilage cells and the extracellular matrix
2. explain cartilage's function as a shock absorber and provider of friction-free environments
3. describe the key components of cartilage and their function
4. prove that cartilage's extracellular matrix is both limiting and beneficial to chondrocytes
5. show how cartilage is a specialized connective tissue

2. The author mentions that cartilage is not vascularized by blood vessels in order to

1. explain why chondrocytes must get their nutrients from other sources
2. demonstrate that cartilage is specialized
3. show how cartilage is different from other connective tissues
4. give an example of the weakness of chondrocytes
5. provide evidence for cartilage's flexibility and resilience

3. Which of the following can be concluded about the extracellular matrix?

1. not all types of cartilage contain the same percentage of fibers in their composition
2. the density of fibers determines the resistance of cartilage to stress
3. the fibers realign themselves in response to mechanical stress
4. the extracellular matrix is produced by surrounding connective tissues
5. nothing besides nutrients is allowed to pass through the extracellular matrix

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