1.A major component of the extracellular matrix is collagen, a protein that form

Question

1.A major component of the extracellular matrix is collagen, a protein that forms prominent fibers outside cells. Where, in a fibroblast cell, do you think collagen proteins are synthesized and how do you think they would get out of a cell, where they assemble into large fibers?

2.Gelatin (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelatin) is something you probably see or use every day. It is formed by hydrolysis of collagen proteins. What is “hydrolysis” and how might it affect collagen fibers to make gelatin?

Explanation / Answer

1. Collagen proteins are synthesized where other proteins are synthesized: on the ribosomes. They get out of the cell by way of transport vesicles, such as by the Golgi apparatus. They then assemble outside by interaction with enzymes. 2. Hydrolysis is, strictly speaking, the removal of water. In the case of collagen fibers making gelatin, gelatin proteins are hydrolyzed to seperate them. Hydrolysis breaks the bonds keeping them together; the bonds that are typically used to keep collage proteins together in the human body. That's basically how it works. (:

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