What connective tissue stores fat cells?

• A. Cartilage
• B. Bone
• C. Adipose
• D. Tendon

Answer: (C)

Adipose tissue is the connective tissue specialized for storing fat. It is made mostly of adipocytes, each packing a large lipid droplet that pushes the nucleus to the cell edge. This tissue serves as an energy reservoir, provides insulation and cushioning, and also acts as an endocrine organ by releasing signaling molecules like leptin and adiponectin.

Cartilage, by contrast, is a flexible support tissue with a gel-like matrix and no role as a primary fat storage site. Tendons are dense regular connective tissue that transmit force from muscle to bone, not storage tissue for lipids. Bone is mineralized tissue with marrow; while marrow can contain fat, the tissue class whose main job is storing fat is adipose tissue.