Which one of the following is the major Ingredient of leather?
A.
Carbohydrates
B.
Collagen
C.
Syntans
D.
None of these
Correct answer is:
B. Collagen
Explanation:
The correct answer is Collagen because it is the primary structural protein found in animal skins, which serves as the foundational material for leather.
- Step 1 (Source Material): Leather is produced by processing animal hides and skins. The dermis layer of these skins comprises about 85% of its total structure and is largely made up of the fibrous protein called collagen.
- Step 2 (Tanning Process): During the tanning process, the raw collagen fibers are cross-linked and chemically stabilized to prevent decay and create a durable material.
- Incorrect Options:
- Carbohydrates is incorrect because carbohydrates are organic compounds like sugars and starches, which are not a structural component of animal skin or leather.
- Syntans is incorrect because synthetic tannins (syntans) are chemicals or agents used during the retanning process, not a primary raw ingredient of the hide itself.
- None of these is incorrect because the second option is the exact mathematical and scientific fact.