FIBRILLAR COLLAGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Fibrillar collagen is a type of protein that is an essential component of the extracellular matrix in various connective tissues found in animals, including humans. It is a fibrous structure composed of repeating units called collagen fibrils, which are formed by individual collagen molecules.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom and serves various critical functions in the body, including providing structural support, strength, and flexibility to the tissues. Fibrillar collagen, in particular, is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of tissues such as skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and blood vessels.
The collagen fibrils in fibrillar collagen are organized in a parallel, rope-like arrangement, making them highly resistant to tensile forces. This organization contributes to the tissues' ability to withstand stretching and tearing without breaking. Additionally, fibrillar collagen has the capacity to interact with other molecules, such as proteoglycans, to form complex networks that contribute to the overall mechanical properties of the tissues.
In terms of its molecular structure, fibrillar collagen is primarily composed of three polypeptide chains called alpha chains, which are intertwined to form a triple helical structure. These helices further aggregate together to form collagen fibrils. There are multiple types of fibrillar collagen, with the most common being type I collagen, although other types such as type II, type III, and type V collagen also exist.
Overall, fibrillar collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue integrity and function, making it an essential component of various physiological processes in the body.
Common Misspellings for FIBRILLAR COLLAGEN
- dibrillar collagen
- cibrillar collagen
- vibrillar collagen
- gibrillar collagen
- tibrillar collagen
- ribrillar collagen
- fubrillar collagen
- fjbrillar collagen
- fkbrillar collagen
- fobrillar collagen
- f9brillar collagen
- f8brillar collagen
- fivrillar collagen
- finrillar collagen
- fihrillar collagen
- figrillar collagen
- fibeillar collagen
- fibdillar collagen
- fibfillar collagen
- fibtillar collagen
Etymology of FIBRILLAR COLLAGEN
The word "fibrillar" refers to a structure that consists of or resembles small fibers. It is derived from the Latin word "fibrilla", meaning "small fiber".
The word "collagen" has a Greek origin, derived from the Greek words "kolla" meaning "glue" and "gen" meaning "producing". Therefore, "collagen" literally means "producing glue" or "glue-like substance".
So, "fibrillar collagen" essentially refers to a type of collagen that forms small fiber-like structures.
