ECM -Outline the structure and function of the main components of extracellular matrix (e.g. collagen, GAGs, proteoglycans). Questions And Answers Graded A+

What is the ying of the ECM? - Collagens What is the yang of the ECM - Glycosaminoglycans -GAGs What is another main component of the ECM - proteoglycans Describe the structure of collagen - Contains 3 alpha chain polypeptides which intertwine to form a triple helix How does collagen have high tensile strength? - It's long, inflexible and is covalently cross-linked what is the function of collagen - provides structural support to the extracellular space of connective tissues what is the structure of a proteoglycan - consits of a core protein with with one or more covalently attached GAGs what happens if a cell is exposed to a low weight Hyaluranan - cell will proliferate like wild fire via mitosis what happens if a cell is exposed to a high weight Hyaluranan - cell will stop proliferation - no divisons at allWhat is the basal lamina? - a specific type of EMC found wherever there is an epithelial sheet as it forms their base how can the basal lamina provide barriers to migration ? - It can seperate different cell layers