Question

Define elasticity and discuss the elasticity properties of elastin and collagen. Define the mechanical differences of elastin and collagen and discuss the influence of these differences on tensile strength of skin.

Answer 1

Elasticity is,the ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed.Elastin is a protein that exists as fibers in the extracellular spaces of many connective tissues. Collagen is also a protein that provides structure to much of your body, including bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments. Both elastin and collagen is responsible for maintaining elasticity, shape and firmness of the skin. Elastin is responsible for allowing tissues in the body to “snap back” to their original shape after being stretched or contracted. Collagen is the most abudant protein of our body and it forms about  30 percent of the protein content of the human body. Collagen gives skin its firmness while elastin keeps skin tight.

Elastin is class of protein mainly derived from tropoelastin, Elastin derives its name from its ability to act as an elastic band, that is, to stretch and recoil with transient force.This property of Elastin allows skin to return to the shape   Elastin is roughly 1000 times more flexible than collagens; thus, the main function of elastin is the elasticity of tissues. Elastin imparts the properties of extensibility and reversible recoil, enabling tissues to withstand repetitive mechanical stress. When elastin fibers lose their resilience,the skin doesn’t snap back as well, resulting in the sagging we see around the eyes, jaw line, and neck.

Collagen is mainly responsible for providing structure to the skin, it acts more like a glue that holds the skin, so it gives the framework that gives the skin strength and foundation,  It’s comprised of very strong fibers that have impressive tensile strength, and is the foundation upon which the outer layer of the skin is anchored. Collagen provides tissues with essential tensile strength, enabling resistance to plastic deformation and rupture. As we age, collagen becomes more cross-linked and rigid, like a brick wall that is gradually marked and broken. This results in a weaker framework for skin, so it caves and bends, which results in the formation of wrinkles.