Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
In human lungs, elastin content increases significantly with age while collagen remains stable, resulting in a decreased collagen-to-elastin ratio in older individuals.
Connective tissues are important to the struc- ture of all organs. Because ventilation imposes mechanical stress, the lungs are perhaps more de- pendent on connective tissue proteins for the main- tenance of normal structure than are other vital organs. Surprisingly, the quantities of fibrous proteins in the lungs had not been measured un- til recently (1, 2). The purpose of this study was to determine the collagen and elastin content of human lungs. Variations in the age and sex of the subjects have been correlated with the findings.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Pierce et al. (1960) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: