| gen is a protein polymer that is the scaffolding of | | | | component of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, teeth |
| the body's cell structure. It is a long, fibrous | | | | and bones. The skin gets its strength and |
| structural protein that is very different from | | | | elasticity from this component, as said before. |
| globular proteins like enzymes. It is composed of | | | | Blood vessels are strengthened by it and it plays |
| Tropocollagen Triple Helix. Each strand of the helix | | | | an important role in tissue development. When |
| is a different polypeptide. Each subunit of | | | | blood vessels collapse, usually when an attempt is |
| Tropocollagen is a long rod of about 300nm in | | | | made to draw blood or establish an IV, it is most |
| length and about 1.5nm in diameter. The tensile | | | | likely due to a breakdown of collagen. |
| strength of collagen is greater than steel, giving | | | | Besides being an important part of connective |
| the body strength in its connective tissues. | | | | tissue, it also plays a major role in other things like |
| As the most abundant protein in the body, | | | | cell differentiation and shape. Healing is another |
| collagen makes up 40% of the protein in all | | | | part of it's function. It is a major part of the |
| mammals. 75% of the skin, the largest organ of | | | | regeneration and healing of broken bones and |
| the body, is collagen. It literally means "glue | | | | blood vessels growing to feed healing areas. |
| producer" in Greek. This is a very appropriate | | | | To emphasize the importance of collagen, lets |
| name for this protein since this is, in large part, | | | | imagine for a moment, an elaborate beadwork |
| what it does – it forms the connective | | | | piece. The piece is held together with thread but it |
| tissue that binds the body together at the cellular | | | | is not seen. Pull the thread out and the beads fall |
| level. | | | | apart. The thread is an absolute necessity to hold |
| There are thirteen types of collagen with Type I | | | | the beadwork together. So, too, is collagen a |
| being the most abundant. Type I is found in scar | | | | necessity to hold our bodies together and help |
| tissue, tendons and the organic parts of the | | | | them heal. Many people only know of collagen as |
| bones. It is what gives skin its elasticity and | | | | part of cosmetic surgery and skin care creams. |
| strength. As we age, collagen is lost, causing the | | | | They do not realize just how important a role it |
| skin to wrinkle and tear easily. Vitamin C | | | | plays in every part of our bodies. |
| deficiency is characterized by defective collagen | | | | Disclaimer - The information presented here |
| not forming strong connective tissue resulting in | | | | should not be interpreted as or substituted for |
| things like deteriorating and bleeding gums, loss of | | | | medical advice. Please talk to a qualified |
| teeth, skin discoloration and wounds not healing. | | | | professional for more information about collagen. |
| Collagen is vital to the body as the main | | | | |