Natural Materials

Question 1

Function of ECM:

Answer 1

Mechanical support, anchorage

Determines cell orientation

Maintains cell differentiation

Establishes tissue microenvironment

controls regulatory molecules

Question 2

ECM Composition

Answer 2

fibers of collagen and elastin, interlibrary proteoglycans and glycoproteins, water

Question 3

Natural materials are mostly composed of:

Answer 3

collagen

Question 4

It is often hard to manipulate natural materials due to their:

Answer 4

low tolerance for temperature changes

Question 5

Natural materials are more complex and species ____

Answer 5

specific

Question 6

natural materials can increase/decrease host immunogenic response

Answer 6

decrease

Question 7

Natural polymers include 3 main classes:

Answer 7

proteins, polysaccharides, polynucleotides

Question 8

Collagen: main shape

Answer 8

triple helix

Question 9

Type I collagen

Answer 9

skin and tendons, most common

Question 10

Type II collagen

Answer 10

cartilage

Question 11

Type III collagen

Answer 11

blood vessel walls

Question 12

Type IV collagen

Answer 12

forms a basement that separates epithelial and mesoderm

Question 13

Collagen characteristics are mainly due to

Answer 13

porosity

Question 14

GAGs

Answer 14

glycosaminoglycans, basically sugar and hexoamine copolymers

Question 15

Proteoglycans

Answer 15

proteins with polysaccharides attached in strings, degrades quickly, for skin and nerve regeneration

Question 16

pros and cons of natural materials

Answer 16

more complex, similar to natural ECM, better cell binding and adhesion/proliferation, biodegradable, immunogenic if from an animal source, not if not. less control over properties and customization