collagen.......

[hassam]

never really understand the structure of collagen....cn any1 explain it to me......plxx

 

[OakMoon!]

Collagen is a fibrous protein whose molecule consists of three polypeptide chains with each in the shape of helix. These helix shaped chains of polypeptides wound around each other to form a three stranded 'rope'. The small size of the glycine amino acid in the chain allows the three chains to lie close together and tightly coil. Any other amino acid would be too large.
The three chains are held together by strong hydrogen bonds that give it huge relative strenghth. This triple helical strand run parallel to other such triple helical chains with cross-links between them and the ends of the parallel molecules are staggered together. This forms fibres giving collagen as a whole tremendous tensile strength

 

[hassam]

....'and the ends of parallel molecules are staggered 2gether'....wat does this sentence means?

 

[OakMoon!]

The molecules are placed and arranged in alternating or overlapping positions to prevent congestion.