Keratinocytes make keratin, a type of
protein that's a basic component of hair, skin, and nails. Keratin in the skin's outer layer helps create a protective barrier.The
integumentary system is an organ
system consisting of the
skin,
hair,
nails, and exocrine glands. The
skin is only a few millimeters thick yet is by far the largest organ in the body.Along with the skin, the integumentary system includes the
nails and hair. Both the
nails and hair contain the tough protein, keratin. The keratin forms fibers, which makes your
nails and hair tough and strong. Keratin is similar in toughness to chitin, the carbohydrate found in the exoskeleton of arthropods.
