List two types of connective tissue cells.

• A. Adipose and mast cells
• B. Fibroblasts and osteocytes
• C. Endothelial cells and chondrocytes
• D. Macrophages and neutrophils

Answer: (A)

Connective tissue houses cells that maintain structure and support throughout the tissue. Adipose cells (adipocytes) are specialized adipose tissue cells that store fat and are a classic example of connective tissue cells. Mast cells reside in connective tissue and are important for inflammatory responses, releasing histamine and other mediators when tissue is damaged or irritated. Together, they illustrate two common resident connective tissue cell types found in many tissues.

Other options mix cell types from bone (osteocytes), cartilage (chondrocytes), vascular lining (endothelial cells), or circulating/transient immune cells (neutrophils), which aren’t the typical resident connective tissue cells you’d list for this question.