What is meant by staggered ends in collagen molecules?

Subject: What is meant by staggered ends in collagen molecules?

Date: Tue Apr 10 00:51:06 2012
Posted by No name entered.
Grade level: 10-12 School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Biochemistry
ID: 1334044266.Bc

Message:


Covalent cross-links hold many collagen molecules side by side, forming fibres.The 
ends of the parallel molecules are staggered.If they were not, there would be a 
weak spot running right across the collagen fibre.What is the meaning of staggered 
ends here? Why would there be a weak spot running right across the collagen fibre 
if the ends are not staggered? Thank you.

Re: What is meant by staggered ends in collagen molecules?

Current Queue | Current Queue for Biochemistry | Biochemistry archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Biochemistry.