Tissues are not composed entirely of cells. In fact, many tissues contain very f

Question

Tissues are not composed entirely of cells. In fact, many tissues contain very few cells. Another very important component of most tissues is the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a mesh of proteins and polysaccharides that are secreted by cells into the spaces surrounding them. For this reason, there is remarkable variety in the form that the ECM takes, differing from tissue to tissue. Name the three classes of molecules found in the ECM of most animal tissues. What is the most abundant component of the ECM in animals and what is its function? How does the structure of this component facilitate its function?

Explanation / Answer

17- Proteoglycans, collagen fibres and soluble multi adhesive matrix proteins i.e. matrix proteins, mtarix polysaccharide and matrix adhesion proteins.

18-Protein collagen, and its main function is that it gives tissues strength and structural integrity.

19- The collagen fibres are interwoven with a class of carbohydrate bearing proteoglycans, which are attached to a long polysaccharide backbone

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