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What Are Fingernails Made Of?

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Jeremy Whitley Profile
Jeremy Whitley answered
Human fingernails are essentially made up of the same long fibers that human hair is made of; it is a protein called keratin. This substance is also the primary structural component of horns and hooves on animals. Keratin is a protein that has no color and in the hair, there are two types not solely the exact element found in fingernails. The actual fingernail originates at the base of the nail from what is known as a growth plate. The growth plate or cuticle is the area where the skin of the finger connects to the nail.

The fingernail is formed from the cells located in the growth plate called the epithelial cells. There are three types of epithelial cells: squamous, cuboidal, and columnar. As these cells age they are pushed outward by newly generated epithelial cells at the base of the nail in the growth plate. These cells that have been pushed forward, in the never-ending process, eventually die, allowing the inside of the cell to be taken over by the hard protein keratin which is why our fingernails are so hard and constantly growing.
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Anonymous commented
Are finger nails made out of dead skin
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Anonymous commented
That is so cool to kno cause im doin a science project on nail polish
Wendy Profile
Wendy answered
Your fingernails are made of a substance called keratin which is an extremely hard protein. This same substance is also found in hair, skin, hooves, horns and teeth.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
A sturdy protein called Keratin
Bill Profile
Bill answered
Finger nails are made of keratin which is a sulfur-containing protein.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Keratin
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Yes your finger nails are made out of  keratin that is 67% water and 33%Keratin.If you don't eat foods like gelatin and wet your nails they will gethard and brittle but do you guys know what keratin's made out of cause I don't
Krista Arrasmith Profile
Your finger nails and toe nails are made of the same stuff as your hair. Your hair is made up of extra body waste. Have you ever noticed that the nails on the hand you write with grow faster then the hand you don't. Also, on the foot that is opposite of the hand you write with the nails grow faster then on the other foot
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I've heard that your nails are made out of dead worms is this true? And I've also heard that the gross brown/black stuff under your nails is fecal matter and dirt, is that true?

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