What is the primary composition of the nail plate?

The primary composition of the nail plate is keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the structural framework of the nail, providing it with strength and resilience. This protein is also found in hair and skin, playing a vital role in protecting the underlying tissues. The nail plate itself is a hard, protective covering that grows from the nail matrix located beneath the cuticle and is crucial for protecting the sensitive nail bed underneath.

The choice of collagen refers to a protein that primarily provides structure and strength in connective tissues, skin, and cartilage but is not a component of the nail plate itself. Melanin is a pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and eyes and does not play a role in the structure of the nail plate. Glycogen, a stored form of glucose, serves primarily as an energy reserve in the body and does not contribute to the composition of nails. Therefore, keratin is definitively the correct answer when considering the composition of the nail plate.