Which component provides elastic and viscoelastic properties to bone due to its high content?

Which component provides elastic and viscoelastic properties to bone due to its high content?

• A. 60% elastin
• B. 86% type I collagen
• C. 70% proteoglycans
• D. 40% osteocalcin

Answer: (B)

Bone’s elastic and viscoelastic behavior mainly comes from its organic matrix, especially type I collagen. This collagen forms a fibrous network that can stretch and slide under load, allowing the tissue to deform and recover over time—giving both elasticity and a time-dependent (viscoelastic) response. Water within and around this collagen network further enhances the viscoelastic effects. The mineral phase provides stiffness, not elasticity, so components like elastin, proteoglycans in this context, or non-collagenous proteins such as osteocalcin do not impart the same elastic/viscoelastic properties.

Bone’s elastic and viscoelastic behavior mainly comes from its organic matrix, especially type I collagen. This collagen forms a fibrous network that can stretch and slide under load, allowing the tissue to deform and recover over time—giving both elasticity and a time-dependent (viscoelastic) response. Water within and around this collagen network further enhances the viscoelastic effects. The mineral phase provides stiffness, not elasticity, so components like elastin, proteoglycans in this context, or non-collagenous proteins such as osteocalcin do not impart the same elastic/viscoelastic properties.