Keratin Types
Keratin refers to the fibrous proteins found in all kinds of animals from reptiles to humans. They are insoluble and extreme tough. There may be several types of keratin found in one animal. Keratin is fibrous in nature and is usually found in hair, nails, teeth, skin, some gastrointestinal tracks and in the shells of crustaceans. The silk produced by insects and spiders is made of keratin as well. Anything that is hairy or fibrous contains keratin.
Hair Keratin
Hair is one of the most varied natural substances. It can be void of pigment, extremely dark or flaming red. Hair can be wavy, straight or curly, thick or thin. Hair depends on the chemical bond of keratin through hydrogen for the way it looks. Depending on the type of keratin, the hair may be blond and curly or black and straight. The main part of each strand of hair is composed of keratin.
Intermediate Filament Category
The intermediate filament category of keratin is found in the scalp, but only if hair is present. It is not found on completely bald scalps. The hair must be growing for this keratin to appear. It promotes hair growth and is found in humans, rats, frogs, mice, dogs and cows.
Low Molecular Weight Keratin
Low molecular weight keratin is known to cause malignant tumors in mice. These keratin cells tend to grow out of control. Traces of these keratins can help diagnose skin cancer. However, they are also present in discolored skin and can be benign. While these keratins may suggest cancer, testing for them does not give a definitive result.
Keratinocyte
Keratinocyte is the keratin manufactured by the skin in the prickly layer of the epidermis. It produces the fibrous keratin as dark prickles as it moves from the basal layer of skin to the top layer, also known as the horny layer, in the skin renewal process. This layer is almost completely composed of keratin and disappears every 25 to 75 days. Keratinocyte also contains the skin pigment which determines the color of the skin.
Nails
Nails and claws also contain a type of keratin. This keratin starts below the cuticle area and hardens as it grows, forming the nail or claw. System disorders involving keratin can be diagnosed by nail growth and form. If the nail is yellow, flaky or weak, the keratin in the nail can be tested for substances that may be causing the disorder.
Tags: composed keratin, keratin found, Keratin Types, layer skin, these keratins, type keratin
