Question

Hyaluronic acid is a heteropolysaccharide and has acetyl glucosamine + glucuronic acid. It is a cementing material and is found in

• A. ovum and synovial fluid
• B. vitreous humour
• C. skin
• D. all of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D all of the above

Ovum and synovial fluid

• Hyaluronic acid is present in the region surrounding the zona pellucida of the ovum and acts as a cementing material. It has to be degraded by the hyaluronidase enzyme of the sperm for effective penetration of the ovum by the sperm during fertilisation.
• Synovial fluid surrounds the freely movable joints and reduces the friction between the articular cartilages during movement. The hyaluronic acid present in the synovial fluid provides viscosity for the proper functioning as a lubricant solution.

Vitreous humour

Vitreous humour is a gel-like fluid that is present in the posterior chamber of the eyeballs, between the lens and the retina. The hyaluronic acid present in the vitreous humour is important for maintaining its gel consistency which in turn helps to maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Skin

The hyaluronic acid is present in the skin tissues and helps in keeping the skin moisturised by binding water to the skin collagen.