Connective Tissue Proteins
Each list begins with basic conceptual vocabulary you need to know for MCAT questions and proceeds to advanced terms that might appear in context in MCAT passages. The terms are links to Wikipedia articles.
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix found in the various connective tissues of the body.
Collagen is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix found in the various connective tissues of the body.
Fibrils
Fibrils, not to be confused with fibers or filaments, are structural biological materials tending to have diameters ranging from 10-100 nanometers.
Fibrils, not to be confused with fibers or filaments, are structural biological materials tending to have diameters ranging from 10-100 nanometers.
Elastin
Elastin is a key protein of the extracellular matrix. It is highly elastic and present in connective tissue allowing many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
Elastin is a key protein of the extracellular matrix. It is highly elastic and present in connective tissue allowing many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
Extracellular matrix
The extracellular matrix is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells.
The extracellular matrix is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells.
Elastic fibers
Elastic fibers are an essential component of the extracellular matrix composed of bundles of proteins (elastin) which are produced by a number of different cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle, and airway epithelial cells.
Elastic fibers are an essential component of the extracellular matrix composed of bundles of proteins (elastin) which are produced by a number of different cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle, and airway epithelial cells.
Fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of biological cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, produces the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing.
A fibroblast is a type of biological cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, produces the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing.
Ascorbate
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbate) is a vitamin found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement. It is used to prevent and treat scurvy.
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbate) is a vitamin found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement. It is used to prevent and treat scurvy.
Basement membrane
The basement membrane is a thin, pliable sheet-like type of extracellular matrix, that provides cell and tissue support and acts as a platform for complex signalling.
The basement membrane is a thin, pliable sheet-like type of extracellular matrix, that provides cell and tissue support and acts as a platform for complex signalling.
Prolyl hydroxylase
Hydroxyproline is produced by hydroxylation of the amino acid proline by the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase.
Hydroxyproline is produced by hydroxylation of the amino acid proline by the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase.
Ground substance
Ground substance is an amorphous gel-like substance in the extracellular space that contains all components of the extracellular matrix except for fibrous materials such as collagen and elastin.
Ground substance is an amorphous gel-like substance in the extracellular space that contains all components of the extracellular matrix except for fibrous materials such as collagen and elastin.
Procollagen peptidase
Procollagen peptidase is an endopeptidase involved in the processing of collagen. The proteases removes the terminal peptides of the procollagen.
Procollagen peptidase is an endopeptidase involved in the processing of collagen. The proteases removes the terminal peptides of the procollagen.
Lysyl oxidase
Lysyl oxidase catalyzes the conversion of lysine molecules into highly reactive aldehydes that form cross-links in extracellular matrix proteins.
Lysyl oxidase catalyzes the conversion of lysine molecules into highly reactive aldehydes that form cross-links in extracellular matrix proteins.
Fibronectin
Fibronectin is a high-molecular weight (~500 kDa) glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that binds to membrane-spanning receptor proteins called integrins.
Fibronectin is a high-molecular weight (~500 kDa) glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that binds to membrane-spanning receptor proteins called integrins.
Scleroproteins
One of the three main classification of protein structure (alongside globular and membrane proteins), scleroproteins (also called fibrous proteins) are made up by elongated or fibrous polypeptide chains which form filamentous and sheet like structure.
One of the three main classification of protein structure (alongside globular and membrane proteins), scleroproteins (also called fibrous proteins) are made up by elongated or fibrous polypeptide chains which form filamentous and sheet like structure.
