keratin
pronunciation
How to pronounce keratin in British English:
UK [ˈkerətɪn]
How to pronounce keratin in American English:
US [ˈkɛrətɪn]
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- Noun:
- a fibrous scleroprotein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in horny tissues such as hair feathers nails and hooves
Word Origin
- keratin (n.)
- basic substance of horns, nails, feathers, etc., 1847, from Greek keras (genitive keratos) "horn" (see kerato-) + chemical suffix -in (2).
Example
- 1. The second was that the melanosomes in her feathers were always embedded in the keratin of which the feather is made .
- 2. Composed of keratin , lipids and the pigments that give them their beautiful brilliant colors , feathers are particularly fascinating given the amazing work that they do .
- 3. Your eyes need to be transparent , however ; they can 't be covered by a layer of dead cells and keratin .
- 4. Nails , on both the fingers and the toes , are made of keratin , the same stuff our hair contains , only denser and harder .
- 5. Most of your body is protected by skin of course , and your outer layer of skin is made of dead cells and keratin , an opaque , protective substance .