Leather

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/leather

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary structural component?Collagen fibers
2. What is the key preservation methods?Vegetable tanning (using plant tannins) and chrome tanning (using chromium salts)
3. What is leather made from?Leather comes from animal skins, which are made of collagen fibers.
4. How does tanning turn a hide into leather?Tanning uses chemicals or plant extracts to stabilize the collagen, stopping it from rotting and making it strong and durable.

Collagen: A strong, fibrous protein that forms the main structural component of animal connective tissues, including skin.
Tannins: Astringent phenolic compounds found in plants, used in vegetable tanning to stabilize collagen fibers.
Patina: A surface appearance or 'finish' that develops on leather over time through exposure and use, often enhancing its aesthetic value.
Biomaterial: A material, either natural or synthetic, that is used to make medical devices or other products that interact with biological systems.