The Intercellular Matrix
•
ground substance
: a viscous, clear substance with a
high water content
•
composed of
proteoglycans
which are made of a
protein core with attached
glycosaminoglycans
or
GAGs
.
Important GAGs are
hyaluronic acid,
chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate
(produces the anticoagulant heparin)
,
keratan sulfate
(produces keratin).