Elastic fiber system elastin

Unlike ligaments which attach bone to other bones or teeth, tendons attach bone to muscle and have few elastic fibers (Table 3.2). Ultraviolet radiation and aging disorganize the elastic fiber system of the skin by activating proteases that degrade elastin and fibrillin. 

Figure 7.50. Effect of enzymatic superoxide generating system on the elastic properties of ligamen-tum nuchae elastin. With time of exposure of purified fibrous elastin to Oa" and H2O2, the elastic modulus decreases, and larger and larger extensions are required before development of an elastic force occurs. This is the result of swelling due to hydrophobic dissociation. Once the fiber is hydrophobically dissociated, it becomes susceptible to proteolytic degradation. (Reproduced with permission from Urry et al. )...

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