epidermose

2 definitions found

epidermose - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  keratin \ker"a*tin\, n. [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn.] (Physiol.
     Chem.)
     A sulfur-containing fibrous protein constituting the main
     structural protein of hard epidermal tissues, such as horn,
     hair, feathers, nails, claws, hoofs, and the like. It is an
     insoluble substance, and, unlike elastin, is not dissolved
     even by gastric or pancreatic juice. By decomposition with
     sulphuric acid it yields leucine and tyrosine plus various
     other acid-stable amino acids. The amino acid composition
     varies, but it usually has a high percentage of cystine,
     which stabilizes and insolubilizes the protein by forming
     intrachain linkages. A softer form of keratin is present in
     the epidermis and whalebone. Called also epidermose.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]

  Epidermose \Ep`i*der"mose\, n. [See Epidermis.] (Physiol.
     Chem.)
     Keratin. Epidictic