Structure
A number of structural proteins (filaggrin, keratin), enzymes (proteases), lipids and antimicrobial peptides (defensins) contribute to maintain the important barrier function of the skin. Keratinization is part of the physical barrier formation (cornification), in which the keratinocytes produce more and more keratin and eventually undergo programmed cell death. The fully cornified keratinocytes that form the outermost layer are constantly shed off and replaced by new cells.
Read more about this topic: Keratinocyte
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—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)