Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

snap

English answer:

elasticity, stretchability, flexibility

Added to glossary by Victor Potapov
Nov 15, 2004 02:44
20 yrs ago
English term

snap

English Tech/Engineering Medical (general)
"It could be said that elastin supplies the “snap” and collagen supplies the structure."

I wonder if anyone could suggest a synonym for this "snap", because options offered by dictionaries are countless and I cannot choose...

Discussion

Victor Potapov Nov 16, 2004:
thank you! glad I was able to help!

Responses

+4
19 mins
Selected

elasticity; stretch; flexibility

Have you seen the "Legally Blonde" movie? There's a good description of "snap" (in the "Bend and Snap" scene) - and this meaning is not present in any dictionary, I'm almost sure!

Seriously, there are two main types of fibers in connective tissue: collagens and elastins. Collagens are stronger, more difficult to "break" but are not highly elastic - cannot extend a lot.

Elastins are highly elastic - they can extend a lot, but are not structurally strong. That's why they are called elastins, and that's what your sentence is about.

They supply stretch capabilities and flexibility to connective tissue.

Hope this helps!
Peer comment(s):

agree Gayle Wallimann
3 hrs
Thanks!
agree Michel A.
5 hrs
Thanks!
agree Lucinda Hollenberg : That's it and the explanation is right on the dot.
7 hrs
Thanks!
agree Jörgen Slet
1 day 14 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you so much! :) This was really helpful. "
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search