noun
- the biological process by which cells produce and accumulate keratin, a tough fibrous protein, causing them to harden and lose their nucleus
Usage: technical/medical term; also called keratinisation in British English
Examples
- Keratinization is essential for the formation of healthy skin and hair.
- The outer layer of the epidermis undergoes keratinization to create a protective barrier.
- Abnormal keratinization can lead to various skin disorders.
- During keratinization, cells flatten and their nuclei degenerate.
- The process of keratinization takes several weeks as cells move from the basal layer to the surface.