Connective Tissue Biology
A researcher is studying the biomechanical properties of articular cartilage and notes that cartilage can resist compressive loads while maintaining hydration. Analysis shows that proteoglycan content decreases significantly in osteoarthritic cartilage, correlating with reduced compressive stiffness. The resident asks about the molecular basis of proteoglycan function. Regarding proteoglycan structure and function:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Proteoglycans consist of a core protein with covalently attached glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains...
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long unbranched polysaccharide chains composed of repeating disacchari...
Proteoglycans are purely collagenous proteins; they have no carbohydrate component; they carry a pos...
In articular cartilage, the collagen network (primarily type II) constrains the swelling tendency of...
In osteoarthritis, proteoglycan loss precedes collagen damage and is one of the earliest biochemical...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option