Chondrocytes are mature cells found in which tissue?

Chondrocytes are mature cells found in which tissue?

• A. Cartilage
• B. Bone
• C. Smooth muscle
• D. Nerve tissue

Answer: (A)

Chondrocytes are mature cells of cartilage. They live in lacunae within the cartilage extracellular matrix and help maintain that matrix by producing collagen type II and proteoglycans. This tissue is specialized for flexible support and is avascular, so nutrients diffuse to these cells through the matrix. They are not found in bone, smooth muscle, or nerve tissue, which contain osteocytes, smooth muscle cells, and neurons/glial cells, respectively. Therefore, chondrocytes are found in cartilage.

Chondrocytes are mature cells of cartilage. They live in lacunae within the cartilage extracellular matrix and help maintain that matrix by producing collagen type II and proteoglycans. This tissue is specialized for flexible support and is avascular, so nutrients diffuse to these cells through the matrix. They are not found in bone, smooth muscle, or nerve tissue, which contain osteocytes, smooth muscle cells, and neurons/glial cells, respectively. Therefore, chondrocytes are found in cartilage.