Every school kid knows that hair and fingernails are two parts of your body that are not alive. (Thank goodness, or trips to the barber would be much more horrific.)
But did you know that you carry around with you 3 other parts -- inside your body -- that are not alive?
And we aren't referring to last night's meatloaf.
1. Cartilage
Cartilage is similar in looks and feel to clear plastic (hence the term "Plastic Surgery" Hmmm?) But, of course, it is not plastic. It is actually the hardened secretions of a cell called chondrocyte, which then makes it's home in small pockets inside the cartilage.
Cartilage is quite strong -- but flexible. That's why our ears, nose and windpipe, all made of cartilage, will bend but snap back into place.
2. Bone
The hard part of the bone -- the white things you seen on skeletons at Halloween -- is a nonliving matrix of collagen and calcium phosphate.
However, the inside of the bones, the marrow, is very much alive. This is why when we break a bone, it will heal. The bone simply builds parts of itself.
This is also why exercise will help strengthen bones. The marrow "feels" the need to be stronger and builds more bone.
3. Tendons
Tendons are those hard, almost clear or white pieces you see at the ends of chicken legs or wings. They connect the muscles to the bones.
Tendons are made of millions of tropocollagen strands, each made of collagen fibers.
And they are not living.
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