What is the primary structural protein in connective tissue?

Collagen is recognized as the primary structural protein in connective tissue due to its unique properties and extensive presence throughout the body. It plays a crucial role in providing strength and support to various tissues, including skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Collagen fibers form a dense network that gives structural integrity and resilience, which is essential for maintaining the function and durability of connective tissues under different mechanical loads.

Unlike other proteins, collagen has a high tensile strength, making it particularly important in areas that experience strain and stress. It consists of a triple-helix structure formed by amino acids that allow it to withstand tension and resist tearing. This distinguishes it from proteins like elastin, which provides elasticity rather than strength, and keratin, which is found primarily in hair and nails rather than in most connective tissues. Myosin is a motor protein involved in muscle contraction, not a component of connective tissue.

Thus, collagen's primary role in providing structural support makes it the most significant protein in the context of connective tissue.