Connective tissue. False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of bundles of collagen and elastic fibres which form part of the connective tissue. The connective tissue provides structural and metabolic support for other tissues and organs throughout the body. Collagen fibres are more common and are formed by a protein, the collagen, which makes them resistant but inextensible. Elastic fibres are made up with the elastin protein which confers on them elastic properties and enables the recovery of tissue shape after deformation or stretching. Magnification: x4100 at 6x7cm size. x6140 at 4x5 inch size.