The rods of cells move upward through the skin as new cells form beneath them. As they move up, they're cut off from their supply of nourishment and start to form a hard protein called keratin. This process is called keratinization (ker-uh-tuh-nuh-ZAY-shun). As this happens, the hair cells die.

What is the process of Keratinization?

Keratinization refers to the cytoplasmic events that occur in the cytoplasm of epidermal keratinocytes during their terminal differentiation. It involves the formation of keratin polypeptides and their polymerization into keratin intermediate filaments (tonofilaments).

What is the function of Keratinization?

Keratinization is a word pathologists use to describe cells producing large amounts of a protein called keratin. Cells that produce keratin are stronger than other cells which makes them good at forming a barrier between the outside world and in the inside of the body.