Like your hair, nails are comprised of dead cells that make up a protein called keratin. The hardness of the nail comes from the presence of sulfur in the amino acids binding the keratin of the nails together. Between the layers of keratin are fat and water molecules that make nails shiny and pliable.

Glossary of Nail Terms
The nail bed is the pink part of your nail containing the capillaries that bring nourishment to the matrix, which is the area just beneath the cuticle. The matrix is where new cells are generated, making nails grow. The actual nail is called the nail plate, and the crescent moon at its base is called the lunula. The cuticle is the ribbon of skin at the base of the nail covering the matrix. This flexible strip seals off the finger to the nail, keeping out substances, like bacteria, that can damage the matrix.

Can You Change the Look of Your Nails?
If only we could alter our genetic plan! Like the rest of our body, it seems we have to work with what we've been given, but by taking good care of your nails -- grooming them weekly, moisturizing them daily, protecting them from the sun and caring properly for your cuticles -- you can make the best of what you have.