Final answer:
True. Ligaments and tendons have a higher proportion of collagen, not elastin. While elastin is present, it does not make up the majority of their composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that ligaments and tendons have a higher proportion of the protein elastin is false. Ligaments and tendons are composed of dense regular connective tissue, which predominantly consists of collagen fibers that grant strength and resistance against stretching. Ligaments contain both collagen and elastin, with the elastin allowing some stretchability. However, the primary protein found in ligaments and tendons is collagen, making their elastic content relatively lower compared to structures such as the elastic ligaments of the vertebral column and the walls of large arteries, where elastin is more abundant to accommodate frequent stretching and recoiling.
False. Ligaments and tendons do not have a higher proportion of the protein elastin. They contain collagen, which provides strength and allows them to withstand stress. Elastin, on the other hand, is present in tissues such as the lungs, large arteries, bladder, and elastic ligaments, which can be stretched several times their normal length and recoil to their original shape.