Final answer:
Adipose tissue is the fatty tissue that gives smoothness and contour to the body and is a type of connective tissue. It consists of adipocytes that store fats and serve as insulation and protection, among other functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fatty tissue that gives smoothness and contour to the body is known as adipose tissue. This type of tissue is considered a form of connective tissue, although it lacks the typical fibroblasts and real matrix of other connective tissues. Adipose tissue is primarily composed of cells named adipocytes, which store fats in the form of triglycerides for energy metabolism. Adipose tissue also has important functions such as insulation to maintain body temperature, protection for organs, and hormone secretion, such as leptin and adiponectin.
Furthermore, adipose tissue appears somewhat empty under a microscope, with thin lines indicating the cell membranes and small black dots representing the nuclei at the cell edges, due to the fat being extracted during processing for microscopic examination.
Adipocytes are crucial for storing energy and providing insulation. The human body has four main types of tissue: nervous, epithelial, muscle, and connective, which includes adipose tissue. In summary, adipose tissue is connective tissue predominantly made up of fat cells and serves multiple roles, including providing smoothness and contour to the body.