molecular collagen structure

Question 1

Collagen is the most common structural protein found in vertebrates

In vertebrates it is the component of connective tissue which forms:

Answer 1

Tendons
Cartilage
Ligaments
Bones
Teeth
Skin
Walls of blood vessels
Cornea of the eye

Question 2

Collagen is an

Answer 2

insoluble fibrous protein

Question 3

Collagen is formed from

Answer 3

three polypeptide chains closely held together by hydrogen bonds to form a triple helix (known as tropocollagen)

Question 4

Each collagen polypeptide chain is a .. what shape

and what does it contain

Answer 4

is a helix shape (but not α-helix as the chain is not as tightly wound) and

contains about 1000 amino acids with glycine, proline and hydroxyproline being the most common

Question 5

In the primary structure of collagen almost

Answer 5

every third amino acid is glycine
This is the smallest amino acid with a R group that contains a single hydrogen atom

Question 6

Glycine tends to be found on the ……. of the polypeptide chains allowing the three chains to be

Answer 6

inside

Glycine tends to be found on the inside of the polypeptide chains allowing the three chains to be arranged closely together forming a tight triple helix structure

Question 7

Along with hydrogen bonds forming between the three chains there are also covalent bonds present where are they found

Answer 7

Covalent bonds also form cross-links between R groups of amino acids in interacting triple helices when they are arranged parallel to each other.

Question 8

he cross-links hold the collagen molecules together to form

Answer 8

fibrils

Question 9

The collagen molecules are positioned in the

Answer 9

fibrils so that there are staggered ends

Question 10

When many fibrils are arranged together they form collagen

Answer 10

collagen fibres

Question 11

Collagen fibres are positioned so that they are lined up with the forces they are

Answer 11

withstanding