A giant aggrecan aggregate can have a molecular mass of 10⁸ daltons or more, and can be as large as a bacterium. Its structure resembles a brush. What is responsible for attaching the bristles of the brush to its core?
A) Covalent bonds between aggrecan core protein and keratan or chondroitin sulfate.
B) Noncovalent bonds between aggrecan core protein and keratan or chondroitin sulfate.
C) Covalent bonds between aggrecan core protein and hyaluronan.
D) Noncovalent bonds between aggrecan core protein and hyaluronan.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This brushlike structure is an order of magnitude larger than the bottlebrush structure of the aggrecan proteoglycan itself. Each bristle represents an aggrecan that is noncovalently attached to a central hyaluronan molecule.

A Giant Aggrecan Aggregate Can Have a Molecular Mass of 10⁸