Dictionary > Elastic fiber

Elastic fiber

Definition
noun, plural: elastic fibers
A type of connective tissue fiber that is made up, primarily, of elastin, and found in skin, lungs, arteries, elastic cartilage, connective tissue proper, etc.
Supplement
Connective tissue is one of the major types of tissues in higher animals, including humans. One of the features of connective tissues is the presence of fibers. There are three major types of fibers associated with connective tissues: (1) collagen fibers, (2) elastic fibers, and reticular fibers.
An elastic fiber is the connective tissue fiber that is yellowish in colour, as opposed to the collagen fiber that is whitish. It is relatively thick, with a diameter of about 0.2 to 2 μm. In some ligaments, though, the elastic fiber could have larger diameter.
While collagen fiber is made up of collagen, the elastic fiber is made up of, primarily, elastin. Elastin is a glycoprotein comprised mainly of glycine and proline residues. Another elastin fiber component is the fibrous fibrillin. The fibrillin provide a scaffold for deposition of elastin.
The elastic fiber is distinguished from other connective tissue fibers for its great elasticity. It can stretch up to one and a half times their length then snap back to its original length when relaxed.
The elastic fibers are produced by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in the arteries. A connective tissue that consists mainly of elastic fibers is referred to as elastic tissue.
Variant(s):

  • elastic fibre (British)

Synonym(s):

  • yellow fiber
  • See also:


    You will also like...

    primitive arthropods
    Arthropods

    The arthropods were assumed to be the first taxon of species to possess jointed limbs and exoskeleton, exhibit more adva..

    New Zealand Fauna
    New Zealand’s Unique Fauna

    Meet some of New Zealand's unique fauna, including endemic insects, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and investigate..

    Biosecurity and Biocontrol
    Biosecurity and Biocontrol

    This lesson explores the impact of biosecurity threats, and why they need to be identified and managed. Examples to incl..

    Homo Species
    The Homo Species

    The evolution of the species of the genus "Homo" led to the emergence of modern humans. Find out more about human evolut..

    Physical growth
    Physical Development in Humans

    This tutorial elaborates on the physical development of humans, particularly from puberty to adulthood. Read this tutori..

    complete-dominance
    Dominance

    This tutorial presents Gregor Mendel's law of dominance. Learn more about this form of inheritance and how it can be pre..