Elastin imparts elasticity and flexibility to tissues. Identify the characteristic of elastin fibers that gives them their elasticity. Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein that binds cells to the matrix and guides cellular migration. Define fibronectin repeat and identify the types of proteins that contain the fibronectin repeat. Laminin is an adhesive protein that binds cells to the basal lamina.
Basal lamina are flexible, thin extracellular matrix mats.
Identify the major glycoprotein and proteoglycan components of basal lamina. Contrast the functions of basal lamina in the kidney with those in a neuromuscular junction. The enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix components is tightly controlled. Identify situations where the extracellular matrix is locally degraded. Predict the effect of a deficiency of specific inhibitors of metalloproteases on the integrity of the extracellular matrix.