by singwell-is off researching a lot on May 2nd, 2007
Now here is a very complicated answer from a boffin who sounds like he knows what he is talking about, even if I don't:
Earwax is a mixture of desquamated keratinocytes and hair combined with the secretions of both the ceruminous and the sebaceous glands of the external ear canal. This study analyzed earwax using the combination analytical technique of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major organic components of earwax identified were long chain fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, alcohols, squalene and cholesterol. This study demonstrated that it is not currently possible to quantify statistically the substances which constitute earwax with accuracy. The presence of foreign substances within earwax was identified as a complicating factor in the analysis of earwax.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1870171&dopt=Abstract
Wikipedia dumbs it down for people like me:
Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands.[1] The primary components of earwax are the final products in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, namely, squalene, lanosterol, and cholesterol.
by -Ben 10- on May 2nd, 2007
Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands. The primary components of earwax are the final products in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, namely, squalene, lanosterol, and cholesterol.
There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is dominant, and the dry type, which is recessive. Asians and Native Americans are more likely to have the dry type of cerumen (grey and flaky), whereas Caucasians and Africans are more likely to have the wet type
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earwax
Is there a name for the hollow back side of the knee? Is it a knee pit?
by Sir yhvhash on November 5th, 2009
| 5 people like this
If you could have an extra body part, what would it be and why?
by huruey on November 25th, 2009
| 9 people like this
Has anyone else here on AB seen the real human body exhibit "Body Worlds"? What did you think of the exhibit of human cadavers? (See answer for one of the exhibits.)
by MRSHINYSHOES on December 5th, 2009
| 3 people like this
I am 175 cm that means 68.9 inches am i too tall?
by Anonymous on November 9th, 2009
| 3 people like this
...what body part do you like best about yourself?...
by aloha girl on December 8th, 2009
| 8 people like this
You're reading What is the chemical composition of earwax?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments