Wool from Animal Sources

Introduction Historical Outline Cell Biology The Wool Follicle Expression of Keratin and KAP Genes in Wool Follicle Differentiations Occurrence Sheep Rearing and Breeding Places of Origin and Types of Raw Wool Wool Fiber Geometry Morphology Structural Biology Bonding and Interactions in Wool Fibers α- and β-Keratin Structures in the Cortical Microfibrils Chemical Composition of Wool and its Morphological Components Proteins Free Internal Lipids Covalently Bound Lipids Chemical Analysis Physical and Mechanical Properties Water Absorption Mechanical Properties Glass Transition Thermal Denaturation Wool as a Polyampholyte Chemical Reactivity Dry Heat Moist Heat Acid Degradation Degradation by Alkali Reducing Agents Photodegradation Clothing Physiology Biochemistry Isolation of Wool Proteins Amino Acid Sequences of Wool Proteins Morphological Location of Wool Proteins Biodegradation Enzymatic Degradation Molecular Genetics Production Wool Collection Raw Wool Scouring Mechanical Processing Chemical Processing World Market and Prices Outlook Acknowledgments Keywords: wool; animal fiber; sheep; protein fiber; keratin; morphology; cuticle; cortex; protein chemistry; amino acids; internal lipids; resistant membranes; mechanical properties; water absorption; textiles; production; finishing; world market