Collagen molecules have a diameter of approximately 24 nanometers. This dimension is significant for the structural integrity of collagen in tissues, as it influences how the collagen molecules interact with each other and with other extracellular matrix components.
Why 24 nm?
- This size is optimal for maintaining the structural function of collagen in biological tissues, enabling it to form the stable triple-helix structure.
- The diameter is critical for understanding how collagen interacts with other biomolecules and how it contributes to the mechanical properties of tissues.