Biology · Structural Organisation in Animals · NEET
Ligaments are DENSE REGULAR connective tissue in NCERT. This is the most common trap. In dense regular tissue the collagen fibres lie in one direction (parallel), which gives strength in that direction. Both tendons and ligaments are the classic NCERT examples of dense regular connective tissue. Dense IRREGULAR tissue has fibres and fibroblasts running in many directions and is found in the skin (dermis), not in ligaments.
Both are dense regular connective tissue with parallel collagen fibres, so their structure is similar. The difference is what they connect. A TENDON attaches skeletal muscle to a bone. A LIGAMENT attaches one bone to another bone at a joint. Easy line: Tendon = muscle-to-bone; Ligament = bone-to-bone. NEET often asks only this connection point.
Because the collagen fibres are all lined up parallel, in a single direction. When a pull (tension) comes along that direction, all the fibres share the load together, so the tissue can take a large force without tearing. This is why tendons and ligaments, which are pulled in one main line during movement, are made of dense regular tissue.
In LOOSE connective tissue (areolar, adipose) the fibres and cells are spread out with a lot of ground substance (matrix) between them, so it is soft and acts as packing or fat store. In DENSE connective tissue the fibres are packed very close together with little space, so it is tough and strong. Tendons and ligaments are dense; areolar tissue under the skin and adipose tissue are loose.
The dermis of the skin is the NCERT example of dense irregular connective tissue. Here fibroblasts and many collagen fibres are oriented in different directions, so the tissue can resist stretching pulls coming from many sides. Do not write tendon or ligament here — those are dense regular.
Match List I with List II. List I (a) Bronchioles (b) Goblet Cell (c) Tendons (d) Adipose Tissue List II (i) Dense Regular Connective Tissue (ii) Loose Connective Tissue (iii) Glandular Tissue (iv) Ciliated Epithelium Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Given below are two statements: Statement I: Ligaments are dense irregular tissue. Statement II: Cartilage is dense regular tissue. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
A tendon connects skeletal muscle to bone. A ligament connects bone to bone. Both are dense regular connective tissue.
Collagen fibres. They are packed in parallel bundles, which makes tendons and ligaments very strong along one direction.
No. In dense regular tissue the fibres lie in one direction (tendons, ligaments). In dense irregular tissue the fibres run in many directions (skin/dermis).
Because they are rich in tightly packed collagen (white) fibres and have very few cells and little blood supply between the fibres.
