What Determines Hair Color and Why Do Black People Have Different Hair Styles?

[TeddyBear]

Hair color -- Curiousity

i have just learned from my biology class that Sulfur plays an important role hair structure, but I am still looking for (an) answers to what makes people's hair colors different.
By the way, can you tell me as to why black people have different hair style - so black, so short, and so strong.?

Thanx

 

[iansmith]

The three factors that determine natural hair color are the type of melanin stored in the cortex of the hair, how many melanin granules exist and whether those granules are close together or far apart. The natural color of hair depends on the ratio and quantities of two other proteins, eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is responsible for brown to black hair shades while phaeomelanin is responsible for golden blond, ginger, and red colors. The absence of either type of melanin produces white/gray hair.

Black — It contains densely packed melanin granules full of black pigment.

Brown — It contains a loose pattern of black-filled granules OR granules blended with both black and red/yellow pigments.

Blonde — It contains very few granules with very little bits of black pigment.

Red — It contains loosely packed granules containing red/yellow pigment.

The tightly curled hair of African people twists much more frequently than in the other groups. The hair shafts are markedly oval in shape, with definite edges. The cuticle is sharply kinked at the edges, and is especially easily damaged at these points. This curious shape is the reason for the vulnerability of African hair to all forms of physical and chemical trauma, and its consequent need for extreme care in handling and very thorough conditioning.

Scientists do not fully understand why the different types of hair grow straight or curly or wavy. This is probably determined by several factors, which may vary in their importance during life. This is why some curly-headed children have straight hair later in life, and vice versa. These factors include:

- the way the large bundles of keratin are arranged within each hair shaft
- the position of the hair bulb in the hair follicle - in African hair the bulb may lie to the side of the follicle, and so the hair shaft grows out of the follicle at an acute angle
- irregular growth in the hair bulb - if it varies slightly to one side or the other the hair may grow wavy
- the shape of the hair follicle, whether it is straight or curved
- the number of twists per unit length.

http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_47.htm

 

[ravenprp]

for being curious about hair color and structure! It's always great to see people interested in learning more about biology and genetics. Let me try to answer your questions about hair color and styles.

Hair color is determined by the amount and type of melanin pigment present in the hair follicles. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, and it gives hair its color. The more melanin present, the darker the hair will be. Different types of melanin can also affect the shade of hair color.

As for why black people have different hair styles, it is due to genetics and evolution. People of African descent have adapted to have shorter, coarser hair that is better suited for hot and humid climates. This hair type helps to regulate body temperature and protects the scalp from the sun. It is also believed that the evolution of this hair type was a response to the harsh conditions of Africa, where thick and strong hair was necessary for survival.

I hope this helps answer your questions. Keep being curious and learning about the amazing world of biology!