Connective tissue is composed of three types of fibres and nonfibrous ground substanceCollagen fibers: Resist tensile deformation and are responsible for the strength and stiffness of tissuesixes classes with 19 types of collagen; the tendon and ligaments mostly contain type I collagen, which is highly resistant to tensionAs collagen fibers develop and mature, they bind initially with unstable hydrogen bonding, which then converts to stable bondingElastin fibersReticulin fibersGround substance: made up of proteoglycans (PGs) and glycoproteins.PGs is to hydrate the matrix, stabilize the collagen networks, and resist conpressive forcesGlycoproteins provides the linkage between the matrix and between the cells and matrix Ground substance: containing water to reduce friction and may helo prevent excessive cross-linking between fibers by maintaining space between fibersThe mechanical behavior of the various noncontractile tissues is determined by the proportion of collagen and elastin fibers and by the structural orientationHigh in collagen and low in PGs are designed to resist high tensile loadHigh in PGs could resist compressive loadWhen tensile forces are applied, maximum elongation of collagen is less than 10%, whereas elastin may lengthen 150% and return to its original configuration.Collagen is five times as strong as elastinThree types of collagen fibers:In tendon, more parallel and can resist the greatest tensile load.In skin, random and weakest in resisting tensionIn ligament, capsule, and fasciae, the collagen fibers vary between the two extremes and resist multidirectional forces