EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The cartilage is a specialized connective tissue which is compact and less vascular. It has widely spaced cells. Its extensive matrix is composed of proteins and is slightly hardened by calcium salts. Its matrix is produced and maintained by chondrocytes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Constituents of cartilage. It is made up of cells called chondroblasts and chondrocytes, (chondro-cartilage) and extracellular matrix, made up about 10% aggrecan, 75% water, and a mix of collagen fibres and other constituents.

Detailed explanation-3: -The cartilage matrix is composed of collagens (primarily type II collagen with minor collagen types IX and XI) and proteoglycans. Although a number of proteinases have been found in the arthritic joints (Nagase and Woessner, 1993), matrixins are considered to be key enzymes for the degradation of cartilage matrix.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chondrin is a matrix in which the cells of the connective tissue cartilage are found embedded in. This is a bluish gelatin-like substance that consists of proteoglycan, a highly glycosylated protein i.e., chondroitin 6-sulphate and hyaluronic acid.

Detailed explanation-5: -Chondroitin is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is a major component of cartilage, the tough, connective tissue that cushions the joints. Commercial chondroitin comes from natural sources, such as shark and bovine cartilage, or synthetic production.