Ground Substance- Amorphous gel-like material in which connective tissue fibers are embedded
- Primarily composed of proteoglycans: core protein complexed with glycosaminoglycan (GAG such as hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate)
- Function includes water absorption (may absorb up to 1,000 times its volume), shock-absorbing properties, and lubrication between collagen and elastic fibers
- Aging results in ↑ dermatan sulfate and ↓ chondroitin sulfate
- Pathological accumulation seen in acid mucopolysaccharidoses due to deficiency of lysosomal hydrolases that normally cleave GAGs
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