The elastic network of the dermis is primarily made up of what substance?

The elastic network of the dermis is primarily made up of elastin, which is a crucial protein that provides the skin with its elasticity and resilience. Elastin allows the skin to stretch and then return to its original shape, which is essential for maintaining overall skin structure and function.

Collagen, while also a major component of the dermis, is responsible for the skin's strength and structural integrity rather than its elastic properties. Keratin is a protein found in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), playing a key role in protection and waterproofing, but it is not a primary component of the dermis' elastic network. Adipose tissue is not a fibrous protein but rather a form of connective tissue that stores fat, providing insulation and cushioning, and is found beneath the dermis rather than being a structural component of it.

Thus, elastin is the correct answer as it specifically relates to the skin’s ability to stretch and maintain its shape.