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Keratin is a structural protein that maintains the health and structure of hair, nails, and epidermis. It is a member of the Scleroprotein family of fibrous structural proteins.
- Keratin is found in scales, horns, fur, feathers, nails, paws, calluses, hooves, and the external layer of the skin.
- It is required for the growth, function, and health of the fingernails, hair, and skin.
- It protects these structures from damage and may also play a role in healing.
Keratin is naturally produced by the body of an organism. It can be extracted from these parts of the body and used in supplements, treatments, and other products to improve the health of hair, skin, and nails.
Read More: NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Chemistry Biomolecules
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Key Terms: Keratin, Protein, Amino Acids, Hair, Keratin Treatment, \(\alpha\)-Keratin, Skin, Peptide Bonds, Scleroproteins
What is Keratin?
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Keratin is an essential protein from the family of fibrous structural proteins called Scleroproteins.
- It is required for the growth and development of hair.
- It makes up the scalp, nails, feathers, horns, hooves, calluses, claws, and outer layer of the skin.
- Keratin also protects epithelial cells from stress or damage.
- It is a defensive protein that is less likely to be scratched or torn in comparison to other cells in the body.
- It is insoluble in water and organic solvents.
Keratin Structure
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Types of Keratin
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Keratin is a protein that can be found in the skin, hair, and nails. It is made up of long chains of amino acids that are cross-linked. This strengthens the protein and makes it more resistant to breaking.
Keratin is classified into two types based on its structure:
- \(\alpha\)-Keratin: Alpha-Keratin is found in all vertebrates and is responsible for the formation of hair, nails, feathers, horns, and so on. In this type of keratin, the polypeptide chains are helical due to hydrogen bonding.
- β-Keratin: β-Keratin is found in the nails, claws, and scales of reptiles, as well as the feathers, claws, and beaks of birds, due to its hardness. It is also found in the shells of reptiles, such as some tortoise species. The polypeptide chains in this keratin are arranged in parallel sheets.
Read More: Biomolecules Important Questions
Keratin Treatment
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Keratin Treatment is a very popular hairstyling process that involves the straightening and flattening of hair to give it a smooth, straight, streamlined, and elegant look.
- Keratin treatment has been used since the 1890s.
- After keratin treatment, certain conditioners, shampoos, and hair gels are used to keep the hair straight for some period of time.
- Keratin treatment makes the hair less frizzy, easy to style, and straighter.
Keratin Treatment
Uses of Keratin
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The important uses of keratin are as follows:
- Keratin enhances and restores the micro-relief of the skin.
- It is an excellent hair conditioner and protectant.
- It is used in creams used for skins that aren't well-protected.
- It is utilized in treatments for nutrition and restructuring.
- Keratin is also present in shampoos and conditioners.
Read More: Glycosaminoglycans
Protein Structure
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Protein is an amino acid-based molecule. Peptide bonds connect the amino acids in a protein. When the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another amino acid, a peptide bond is formed.
A protein has four different structural types namely primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
- The primary design of a protein is its grouping of amino acids.
- The secondary structure describes how amino acids are folded.
- The secondary structure is folded into the tertiary structure.
- The quaternary structure is how the tertiary structure folds and interacts with other proteins.
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Things to Remember
- Keratin is a protein from the scleroprotein family of fibrous structural proteins.
- There are two main types of keratin namely \(\alpha\)-Keratin and β-Keratin.
- It is present in horns, fur, scales feathers, nails, paws, and the uppermost layer of the skin.
- It is a defensive protein that is much stronger than various other proteins.
- Keratin treatment is a hair treatment that smooths and often straightens hair.
- Keratin is used in a lot of shampoos, conditioners, and skin creams.
Previous Years’ Questions
- The protein present in the hair is… (VITEEE 2016)
- Which of the following is a fibrous protein…
- Fructose and glucose can be distinguished by… (JEE Main 2019)
- The α- and β- forms of glucose are… (KEAM)
- Pick out the one which does not belong to the family… (KCET 2004)
- Which of the following is a trisaccharide… (MHT CET 2010)
- Select the incorrect statement, among the following… (AIIMS 2009)
- Keratinized dead layer of skin is made of… (UP CPMT 2007)
- In a polysaccharide, the individual monosaccharides are… (KEAM)
- In polysaccharides, the linkage connecting… (MP PMT 2000)
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Keratin? (3 Marks)
Ans. Keratin is an essential protein for hair growth and development. Scientifically, keratin protein is a member of the scleroprotein family of fibrous structural proteins. The variant of keratin protein available in vertebrates such as humans is \(\alpha\)-Keratin. This keratin is a structural protein that is required not only for hair growth and development, but also for the formation of the scalp, nails, feathers, horns, hooves, calluses, claws, and the skin's outer layer. It is also in charge of protecting epithelial cells from stress and damage.
Ques. What are beta-Keratins? (2 Marks)
Ans. Beta keratin is a structural protein found primarily in the reptile epidermis. The name of this protein comes from the fact that it is found in the epidermal stratum corneum, which is rich in stacked beta-pleated sheets. Because the term keratin originally referred to alpha keratin, it has been renamed "corneous beta-proteins" or "keratin-associated beta proteins" instead of beta keratin.
Ques. What is the difference between beta-keratins and alpha-keratins? (3 Marks)
Ans. The difference between beta-keratins and alpha-keratins is as follows:
| Alpha Keratins | Beta Keratins |
|---|---|
| It is a protein that is found in mammals. | It is a structural protein found primarily in the reptile epidermis. |
| This substance is found in hair, horns, nails, and the epidermal layer of skin. | It occurs in reptile skin, specifically in the epidermal stratum corneum, which is rich in stacked beta-pleated sheets. |
| It provides structural stability to mammals. | It provides skin rigidity, waterproofing, and desiccation prevention in reptiles. |
Ques. Can Keratin cause hair damage? (2 Marks)
Ans. Though keratin treatments are used to straighten hair, they can also harm the quality of hair. It happens because the keratin treatment products contain non-keratin ingredients such as formaldehyde, and the intense temperature of the styling tools used will burn and tear hair, leading it to shed and deteriorate quality.
Ques. How to increase Keratin naturally? (2 Marks)
Ans. In order to produce keratin naturally, one must consume the following food items:
- Eggs
- Onions
- Salmon
- Mangoes
- Garlic
- Kale
- Beef liver
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Sunflower seeds
Ques. List the benefits of luxliss keratin. (2 Marks)
Ans. The benefits of luxliss keratin are as follows:
- Increased Strength
- Straight and Untangled Look
- Prevent Breakage
- Moisturized Hair
- Thick and Shiny Appearance
- Increased Elasticity
Ques. What does Keratin do to Hair? (2 Marks)
Ans. Keratin is a protein that is used to smoothen the cells that overlap together to form the hair strands. The layers of hair cuticles absorb the keratin and it makes the hair look healthy, full, and glossy. Keratin stem also straightens the hair strands and removes the curls and frizzes from the hair.
Ques. What is the function of Keratin? (2 Marks)
Ans. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that is found in hair nails, horns, hoofs, feathers, and the epithelial cells in the outermost layer of the skin. Keratin plays important role in the structural and protective functions of the epithelium. This protein is found in both vertebrates and non-vertebrates.
Ques. What is soft and hard keratin? (2 Marks)
Ans. Keratin can be classified into two major categories namely soft and hard keratin. Soft keratin is a primitive form found in all vertebrates whereas hard keratin is found in the epidermis of reptiles and birds.
Ques. Is keratin good for hair growth? (2 Marks)
Ans. Keratin is an important protein that is formed due to the combination of eighteen different amino acids. Keratin plays an integral role in hair growth, hair regeneration, and the overall health of our hair.
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