kerate

[Gr. keras (gen it. keratos ) =a horn.] [CGr kěr-a-tin, s. [Gr. keras (gen it. keratos )=a horn; suff. -in ( Chem.) (q.v.).] Chem.: A term applied to the substance which forms the chief constituent of hair, feathers, nails, claws, horns, and the epidermis and epithelium of the higher animals. In consequence of its insolubility in alcohol, water, acetic acid, boiling dilute hydrochloric acid, and dilute sodic hydrate, it is easily obtained pure. It di olves in boiling acetic acid and in strong alkalies, and when boiled with sulphuric acid it decomposes with formation of leucine and tyrosine.