Flexibility of type I collagen and mechanical property of connective tissue

Abstract

The hierarchical organization of the connective tissue, more specifically, the musculoskeletal soft tissue, has been extensively studied. With advancements in experimental methodology, investigation of the structure-function relationship has provided more insight into how the mechanical integrity of the tissue is created. Such information is essential in the linking the macroscopic loading environment of the tissue to the microscopic level of the tissue to be experienced by the cell. The flexibility and elastic modulus of gross connective tissue, the fascicle, the fiber and then the collagen molecule are compared based on the data available in the literature.