keratin

keratin

, ceratin

a fibrous protein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in hair, nails, feathers, hooves, etc.

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

keratin

[′ker·əd·ən]

(biochemistry)

Any of various albuminoids characteristic of epidermal derivatives, such as nails and feathers, which are insoluble in protein solvents, have a high sulfur content, and generally contain cystine and arginine as the predominating amino acids.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

keratin

A proteinaceous material used as a retarder for plaster.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.