2.3.6

Collagen

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Collagen

Collagen is an example of a fibrous protein. Roughly 30% of the protein in your body is collagen. It is found in ligaments, tendons, muscle, cartilage, bone, and skin.

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Fibrous proteins

  • Fibrous proteins are long and narrow.
  • Unlike globular proteins, they are insoluble in water.
  • The roles of fibrous proteins are to offer structural support to cells.
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Collagen

  • Individual molecules of collagen are formed by three polypeptide chains wound around each other.
  • The chains wind to form a right-handed helix.
  • Individual molecules of collagen are cross-linked together to form long collagen fibers.
  • Each fibre of collagen contains thousand of individual collagen molecules.
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Glycine

  • Every third amino acid in collagen is glycine.
  • The -R group of glycine is just an H atom.
  • This makes glycine amino acids very small.
  • This allows collagen molecules to pack closely together, increasing the strength of the collagen fibres.
    • This is important for collagen's role in providing structural support.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Structure

2Biological Molecules

3Enzymes

4Cell Membranes & Transport

5The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7Transport in Plants

8Transport in Mammals

9Gas Exchange

10Infectious Diseases

11Immunity

12Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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