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Keratin-associated proteins (KRTAPs, KAPs) and keratins are the major components of hair and nails. The content of KRTAPs in hair varies considerably between species, ranging from less than 3% in human hair to 30–40% in echidna quill. Both keratin and KRTAPs are extensively cross-linked in hair through disulfide bonds via numerous cysteine ...
Keratin (/ ˈ k ɛr ə t ɪ n / [1] [2]) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. Alpha-keratin (α-keratin) is a type of keratin found in vertebrates. It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin among vertebrates.
Keratin is a crucial fibrous protein found in animals, constituting tough structures like hair, feathers, nails, and horns. It's classified based on tissue origin and sulfur content: soft keratins have lower sulfur, while hard keratins, found in hair and claws, contain more sulfur, creating a stronger structure. [2]
Nails are a distinguishing feature of the primate order. The nail is an unguis, meaning a keratin structure at the end of a digit. Other examples of ungues include the claw, hoof, and talon. The nails of primates and the hooves of running mammals evolved from the claws of earlier animals. [38]
skin, hair, fat and nails: Skeletal system: structural support and protection, production of blood cells: bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons: Muscular system: movement of body, production of heat: skeletal muscles, smooth muscles and cardiac muscle: Endocrine system: communication within the body using hormones made by endocrine glands
Its complex structure slides as the hair swells and is covered with a single molecular layer of lipid that makes the hair repel water. [7] The diameter of human hair varies from 0.017 to 0.18 millimeters (0.00067 to 0.00709 in). [ 10 ]
Anatomy of the basic parts of a human nail. In human anatomy, "cuticle" can refer to several structures, but it is used in general parlance, and even by medical professionals, to refer to the thickened layer of skin surrounding fingernails and toenails (the eponychium), and to refer to the superficial layer of overlapping cells covering the hair shaft (cuticula pili), consisting of dead cells ...
The hair cuticle is also known to contain anteiso-18-methyleicosanoic acid which contribute to the hydrophobic properties of hair. [5] [4] Diagram of the hair shaft, indicating medulla (innermost), cortex, and cuticle (exterior) While the cuticle is the outermost layer, it is not responsible for the color of the hair.