Question

Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. If a statement is false, explain why it is false.

A. Collagen is a protein that participates in both the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix.
B. Collagen fibers and elastin fibers serve similar functions, which is expected because the structure of these two types of fibers is quite similar.
C. The assembly of both collagen and elastin fibers requires the formation of disulfide bonds.

Answer 1

The statements about collagen and elastin are all false. Collagen is not part of the cytoskeleton but a component of the ECM. Collagen and elastin have different structures and functions, and only elastin requires disulfide bonds for its assembly.

Step-by-step explanation:

Statement A: False. Collagen is indeed a protein, but it is not part of the cytoskeleton. Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing structural support to tissues.

Statement B: False. Although collagen fibers and elastin fibers both contribute to the mechanical properties of tissues, they serve different functions. Collagen fibers provide tensile strength, while elastin fibers allow tissues to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Their structures are also different; collagen is a triple helix, whereas elastin has a more random coil.

Statement C: False. The assembly of elastin fibers involves the formation of disulfide bonds. Collagen, on the other hand, does not require disulfide bonds for its assembly but rather relies on the formation of triple helices and cross-links between collagen molecules to form stable fibers.