What is keratin?
Quick Answer
Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein that makes up hair, nails, the outer layer of skin, and animal horns, hooves, claws and feathers.
The Full Story
Keratin is a structural protein built from long chains that pack tightly together, making it strong and insoluble in water. Human hair and nails are made mostly of hardened keratin, while the outer layer of skin contains softer keratin that helps form a waterproof barrier. In other animals keratin forms rhino horns, bird beaks and feathers, turtle shells, hooves and baleen. Hair's strength comes partly from disulfide bonds between keratin molecules, which perms and straighteners break and reshape. Keratin cells in hair and nails are dead, which is why cutting them does not hurt.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The same protein in your hair and a rhino's horn"