Lecture Notes on Collagen and Mechanical Properties

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to collagen structure, its mechanical properties, and related phenomena in connective tissues.

Collagen

A protein made of long filamentous molecules that provide strength and structure to various tissues.

Tropocollagen

The basic structural unit of collagen, composed of three polypeptide chains twisted together.

Types of Collagen

There are eleven genetically distinct types of collagen, each varying in terms of polypeptide composition and distribution in connective tissues.

Stress

The applied force on a collagen fiber, measured in Newtons.

Strain

The degree of deformation experienced by a fiber, measured as a fraction or percentage increase in its original length.

Crimp

The wavy, sinuous shape of collagen fibers at rest.

Creep

The gradual, almost imperceptible deformation of connective tissue under a sustained load.

Hysteresis

The difference in mechanical behavior of a material when loaded versus unloaded, resulting in energy loss.

Adjustment

The difference between the initial and final length of a ligament or capsule after a load has been removed.

Fatigue Rupture

The weakening and eventual rupture of a material due to repeated application of stress below its maximum elastic limit.