Cartilage. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a section through cartilage tissue, showing chondrocyte cells (red). Cartilage is a flexible but strong supportive connective tissue. Unlike bone and all other connective tissue types, it is avascular, lacking blood vessels. The chondrocytes produce and maintain the cartilage matrix, which mainly consists of collagen and proteoglycan fibres. Magnification: x213 when printed 10 centimetres wide.