Keratiniseerumine

Keratiniseerumine refers to the process by which epidermal cells undergo a transformation into keratin. This is a crucial biological process in the skin and its appendages. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that is a key component of hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin.

The process begins with keratinocytes, the primary cells of the epidermis. As these cells move from the basal layer upwards, they undergo differentiation. During this differentiation, the cells produce increasing amounts of keratin. Simultaneously, their nuclei and other organelles degenerate. This culminates in the formation of flattened, dead cells that are essentially bags of keratin.

These keratinized cells, also known as corneocytes, then form the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. This layer acts as a protective barrier against physical, chemical, and biological insults. It also plays a vital role in preventing water loss from the body. The continuous shedding of these dead, keratinized cells from the skin's surface is a normal physiological process. The rate of keratinisation can be influenced by various factors, including hormones, environmental conditions, and certain dermatological conditions.