Elastin enables flexibility in tissues like skin and lungs, vital for functions like breathing. Aging reduces the natural elastin in our skin, leading to wrinkles.
Pro Tip 2/3
Scientific Context
Use 'elastin' when discussing tissue mechanics, not general flexibility or stretchiness. Researchers are studying how elastin contributes to arterial flexibility.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Interchangeable
'Elastin' is specifically a body protein, and shouldn't be confused with 'elastic', used for stretchy materials. The elastin in our connective tissues isn't the same as the elastic in our clothes.