Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
elastin

elastin

1 7.4
A body protein that lets skin and arteries stretch and spring back
  • noun
  • /ɪˈlæstɪn/
  • Specialized
: elastina
  • Loss of elastin further affects the lungs' ability to expand, reducing vital capacity.
  • elastin fibers
  • collagen and elastin

So we know UV triggers these mutations and we know UV degrades collagen and elastin.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Aside from collagen, elastin is also responsible for the skin's firmness.

    Blog text (6)

  • Fibroblasts in aging skin make less collagen and elastin and more collagenase, causing wrinkles.

    Academic text (1998)

  • As a result of a reduction in elastin, the elastic range of the skin is decreased.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Also, as we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin start breaking down, creating wrinkles and lines on our hands.

    Blog text (17)

  • Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals that destroy the collagen and elastin in our skin.

    Blog text (13)

  • Each elastin fiber is made up of microfibrils of 10-12 nm in diameter. Elastin is produced by fibroblasts.

    Academic text (1995)

  • First, the collagen in our folds stiffens, and the surrounding elastin fibers atrophy and decay.

  • The collagen and elastin that keep skin firm also start to break down.

  • Loss of elastin further affects the lungs' ability to expand, reducing vital capacity.

  • With a biopsy, dermatologists look at elastin, the elastic tissue, which degrades with aging, contributing to wrinkles and sagging skin.

Surface Forms

elastin singular
elastins plural

Morphology

elastin = elastic (semi-transparent) = elastic + in

Formed by adding the protein-forming suffix '-in' to 'elastic'; the connection to elasticity is clear but the minor orthographic change and specialized biological usage may limit immediate inference for an average learner.

Etymology

Elastin comes from the same root as elastic, from an old Greek word meaning 'to stretch' or 'be flexible'. The ending -in is a common name for proteins, so elastin is the protein that helps skin and blood vessels 'stretch' and then 'spring back' to their shape.