Collagen

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Also known as Tropocollagen.
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[|http://www.cem.msu.edu/~reusch/VirtTxtJml/protstr2.htm#collag]<-- 3D structure applet

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__[[image:ch22f14.jpg width="407" height="281" align="left" caption="Diagram of biosynthesis"]]How is collagen made? __
====Collagen biosynthesis begins with connecting amino acids, organic compounds that contain carboxylic and amino groups, to make long chains called polypeptides. ==== ====The peptide chains are co-translationally transported into the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Once they are connected, they intertwine in groups of three that make procollagen, an early collagen. In the endoplasmic reticulum, the procollagen goes through many reactions as shown in the diagram. Like other proteins, it first undergoes glycosylation of procollagen in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Galactose and Glucose are added to hydroxylysine residues, and long oligosaccharides are added to particular asparagine remains in the C-terminal propeptide. Also, proline and lysine excess are hydroxylated by membrane-bound hydroxylases. Intrachain disulphide bonds between N- and C- terminals align the three chains before it goes into the ER to form the triple helix. After the type I procollagen is assembled, it is secreted into the extracellular space. Extracellular enzymes, and the procollagen peptidases, remove the N-and C- terminal propeptides. Which creates, Collagen! ====

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 ===== ====All connective tissues in every human body contains collagen. This material is flexible, but if you pull it too hard, it will tear. Also, the cartilage in our bodies, such as are noses and ears, have a significant amount of collagen in them. There are many different collagens, most definitely over a dozen, and all of them are slightly different in physical and chemical properties. ==== ====There are also several health disorders that come from an inadequate or abnormal amount of collagen in your body. A well known disease, is scurvy, the disease that caused the black plague. Scurvy is from the lack of Vitamin C. When there are not enough Vitamin C’s in your body, the collagen starts to break down and muscle joints are damaged. Another disorder is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This occurs when collagen is weak, and starts to cause bruising, rupture of arteries and intestines, overly flexible joints, skin and bone deformities, and hip dislocations. Also, osteogenesis imperfecta causes poorly formed bones and can make the sclera, the white part of the eye, to turn blue. ====

__Interesting Facts__
====The intertwined collagen chains soak up significant amounts of H2O (water) and once that is purified and cleaned up, it produces gelatin! You can find gelatin in many desserts in your household. A well-known brand that uses this is Jell-O®. The collagen is taken from the hooves, bones and connective tissues of cows and pigs. Sounds kind of disgusting, but once you add some sugar and artificial flavours, all is good. Other desserts and snacks include; marsh mellows, gummy bears, yogurt and jams, and many more.====

====As collagen deteriorates, you get these annoying lines on your face that many women are trying to cover-up as much as possible. These, are called wrinkles. Many people try plastic surgery, which includes the usage of collagen to keep the skin looking younger, but the collagen they put in, end up breaking down like the original collagens in your face and does not stay permanent. Many skin products say it contains collagen, and will improve your skin, but that is not possible. Collagen cannot be absorbed through the skin. If you want to stay pretty for a short period of time, please, go ahead and inject yourself with the compound. Just don’t get addicted to your fake pretty self; you are probably prettier without the collagen anyway. ====

= = Taken by Anna Katz Block E

Sites: Thomson Gale, Thomson Learning Inc. "Collagen" //Book Rags.// 2008, Web. 4 Jun 2010.  W.H. Freeman and Company. "22.3 Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix" //NCBI Molecular Cell Biology.// 2000, Web. 4 Jun 2010.  Goates, Wayne; Harris, Mary; Watkiss, Gina. "Collagen: A support Protein." //Polymer Science Learning Center.// 2010. Web. 4 Jun 2010.  Goates, Wayne; Harris, Mary; Watkiss, Gina. "Gelatin" //Polymer Science Learning Center.// 2010. Web. 4 Jun 2010.  Reusch, William. "Peptides and Proteins. C: Other Structures" //William Reusch.// May 1, 2005. Web. 4 Jun 2010. <http://www.cem.msu.edu/~reusch/VirtTxtJml/protein2.htm> "Collagen: What is Collagen?" //Collagen.// 2010. Web. 4 Jun 2010. <http://www.collagen1.net/what-is-collagen/> Yahoo! Answers. "Yahoo! Answers" //Yahoo! Answers.// 2007. Web 4 Jun 2010. <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071210170715AAFNf4v>

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