Which term is the protein found in hair and nails?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which term is the protein found in hair and nails?

Hair and nails are made primarily of keratin, a fibrous structural protein produced by keratinocytes. In hair, keratin forms soft keratin that provides flexibility, while in nails it forms hard keratin with extensive disulfide cross-links that give strength and rigidity. The high cysteine content enables those cross-links, making hair and nails durable against wear. The other terms refer to a process (desquamation), a skin layer (stratum corneum), or skin cell types (epidermis cell types), which are not proteins.

Hair and nails are made primarily of keratin, a fibrous structural protein produced by keratinocytes. In hair, keratin forms soft keratin that provides flexibility, while in nails it forms hard keratin with extensive disulfide cross-links that give strength and rigidity. The high cysteine content enables those cross-links, making hair and nails durable against wear. The other terms refer to a process (desquamation), a skin layer (stratum corneum), or skin cell types (epidermis cell types), which are not proteins.

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