Keratin is a protein.
Keratin is a fibrous structural protein. This means it's one of the key building blocks of various tissues in animals. Specifically, it's found in the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails of vertebrates. Its strength and insolubility are due to the formation of strong protein structures called intermediate filaments.
Here's a simple breakdown:
- Protein: Keratin's primary structure is a chain of amino acids, which is the defining characteristic of proteins.
- Lipid: Lipids, also known as fats, are made up of fatty acids, not amino acids. Keratin does not contain fatty acids.
Therefore, keratin unequivocally belongs to the protein family.
