Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A protein similar to collagen that is the principal structural component of elastic fibers.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In chem., a body closely resembling albumen, except that it is free from sulphur, forming the principal substance of the elastic fiber which is the characteristic constituent of certain tissues.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous substance, somewhat resembling albumin, which forms the chemical basis of elastic tissue. It is very insoluble in most fluids, but is gradually dissolved when digested with either pepsin or trypsin.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biochemistry A protein, similar to collagen, found in connective tissue, that has elastic properties.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a fibrous scleroprotein found in elastic tissues such as the walls of arteries

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[elast(ic) + –in.]

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Examples

  • My thesis involved the amino acid analysis of the protein elastin, which was then thought to play a role in coronary artery disease and I completed the requirements for my degree at Columbia late in 1937 and went directly to the laboratory of Max Bergmann at the Rockefeller Institute.

    William H. Stein - Autobiography 1973

  • Some are made of really tough stuff called elastin.

    Physicist Cracks BBQ Mystery 2011

  • Study author and plastic surgeon Brian Rinker explained that the smoking connection was logical because "smoking breaks down a protein in the skin called elastin, which gives youthful skin its elastic appearance and supports the breast."

    Shelf Life 2008

  • The dermis contains blood vessels that nourish the skin, and proteins called elastin and collagen that keep it taut.

    The New Science of Cosmetics 2007

  • One, a protein called elastin for its stretchiness, is the main component of blood vessel walls and ligaments, and is especially tough; its cross-links cannot be broken by the heat of cooking.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • One, a protein called elastin for its stretchiness, is the main component of blood vessel walls and ligaments, and is especially tough; its cross-links cannot be broken by the heat of cooking.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • They found that certain dendritic cells in the lung - the cells that "present" a foreign antigen or protein to the immune system - provoke production of destructive T-cells that attack a key protein called elastin, leading to death of lung tissue and emphysema.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 2010

  • They found that certain dendritic cells in the lung - the cells that "present" a foreign antigen or protein to the immune system - provoke production of destructive T-cells that attack a key protein called elastin, leading to death of lung tissue and emphysema.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 Ians 2010

  • The researchers attached this 'contrast agent' to a molecule that binds to the protein elastin, which is found in artery walls.

    dailyindia.com News Feed 2009

  • They found that certain dendritic cells in the lung - the cells that "present" a foreign antigen or protein to the immune system - provoke production of destructive T-cells that attack a key protein called elastin, leading to death of lung tissue and emphysema.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 2009

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