EXAM FLASHCARDS
Mechanical Loading, Cartilage and
Osteoarthritis
Exam flashcards: mechanical loading, cartilage and osteoarthritis
Definition cards
What is mechanotransduction?
The process through which cells convert mechanical force into a biochemical response. In
cartilage, for example, chondrocytes sense mechanical loading, and this activates signalling
pathways that alter gene expression, leading to protein synthesis and to matrix turnover.
What is articular cartilage?
A specialised connective tissue that covers the ends of the bones in the synovial joints. It is
avascular, aneural and alymphatic. It provides a low-friction, shock-absorbing surface.
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
OA is a degenerative disease of the joints. Symptoms include breakdown of the cartilage,
inflammation, osteophyte formation and altered joint dynamics.
What are proteoglycans?
Large extracellular matrix molecules that are rich in glycosaminoglycans attract water and
provide cartilage with compressive resilience.
Structure-function cards
How does collagen contribute to cartilage function?
Collagen fibrils form an arcade-like network that provides tensile strength. They restrain the
swelling caused by water-attracting proteoglycans.
1
Mechanical Loading, Cartilage and
Osteoarthritis
Exam flashcards: mechanical loading, cartilage and osteoarthritis
Definition cards
What is mechanotransduction?
The process through which cells convert mechanical force into a biochemical response. In
cartilage, for example, chondrocytes sense mechanical loading, and this activates signalling
pathways that alter gene expression, leading to protein synthesis and to matrix turnover.
What is articular cartilage?
A specialised connective tissue that covers the ends of the bones in the synovial joints. It is
avascular, aneural and alymphatic. It provides a low-friction, shock-absorbing surface.
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
OA is a degenerative disease of the joints. Symptoms include breakdown of the cartilage,
inflammation, osteophyte formation and altered joint dynamics.
What are proteoglycans?
Large extracellular matrix molecules that are rich in glycosaminoglycans attract water and
provide cartilage with compressive resilience.
Structure-function cards
How does collagen contribute to cartilage function?
Collagen fibrils form an arcade-like network that provides tensile strength. They restrain the
swelling caused by water-attracting proteoglycans.
1
