Extracellular matrix

In <a href="/facts/Biology/1M1ee3pB">biology</a>, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix (ICM), is a network consisting of <a href="/facts/Extracellular/UEPUhSN8">extracellular</a> <a href="/facts/Macromolecule/039ULSLg">macromolecules</a> and minerals, such as <a href="/facts/Collagen/KsyAb72K">collagen</a>, <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzymes</a>, <a href="/facts/Glycoprotein/bKPzzW7m">glycoproteins</a> and <a href="/facts/Hydroxyapatite/SqcXuXVQ">hydroxyapatite</a> that provide structural and <a href="/facts/Biochemistry/fa2pWEBp">biochemical</a> support to surrounding cells. Because <a href="/facts/Multicellular_organism/rk8QBF7o">multicellularity</a> evolved independently in different multicellular lineages, the composition of ECM varies between multicellular structures; however, cell adhesion, cell-to-cell communication and differentiation are common functions of the ECM.
The animal extracellular <a href="/facts/Matrix_(biology)/up2ogMb7">matrix</a> includes the interstitial matrix and the <a href="/facts/Basement_membrane/vA9N6l2g">basement membrane</a>. Interstitial matrix is present between various animal cells (i.e., in the intercellular spaces). Gels of <a href="/facts/Polysaccharide/lqXq2cJU">polysaccharides</a> and fibrous proteins fill the <a href="/facts/Interstitial_fluid/hzm4qatP">interstitial space</a> and act as a compression buffer against the stress placed on the ECM. Basement membranes are sheet-like depositions of ECM on which various <a href="/facts/Epithelial/ecKHcHC3">epithelial</a> cells rest. Each type of <a href="/facts/Connective_tissue/mal3fc7k">connective tissue</a> in animals has a type of ECM: <a href="/facts/Collagen/KsyAb72K">collagen</a> fibers and <a href="/facts/Bone_mineral/L6LpbEYE">bone mineral</a> comprise the ECM of <a href="/facts/Bone_tissue/pCU37jBe">bone tissue</a>; <a href="/facts/Reticular_fiber/rBp1kg3w">reticular fibers</a> and <a href="/facts/Ground_substance/nvpvRF9e">ground substance</a> comprise the ECM of <a href="/facts/Loose_connective_tissue/RvNYc292">loose connective tissue</a>; and <a href="/facts/Blood_plasma/oHuwwugG">blood plasma</a> is the ECM of <a href="/facts/Blood/03zEulkj">blood</a>.
The plant ECM includes <a href="/facts/Cell_wall/DYXJVrnw">cell wall</a> components, like cellulose, in addition to more complex signaling molecules. Some single-celled organisms adopt multicellular <a href="/facts/Biofilms/zg93x2w4">biofilms</a> in which the cells are embedded in an ECM composed primarily of <a href="/facts/Extracellular_polymeric_substance/5u7aCf2l">extracellular polymeric substances</a> (EPS).

Extracellular matrix open-in-new

Extracellular matrix