Cosmetology Test Hair & Scalp Properties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the average growth rate of human hair per month?
- 1/4 inch
- 1/2 inch (Correct answer)
- 1 inch
- 2 inches
Correct answer: 1/2 inch
Human hair grows approximately 1/2 inch (about 1.25 cm) per month on average.
Question 2: Which layer of the hair shaft is responsible for giving hair its elasticity and strength?
- Cuticle
- Cortex (Correct answer)
- Medulla
- Follicle
Correct answer: Cortex
The cortex is the middle layer of the hair shaft and provides elasticity, strength, and contains melanin pigment.
Question 3: What term describes the ability of hair to absorb moisture from the atmosphere?
- Elasticity
- Porosity
- Hygroscopicity (Correct answer)
- Tensile strength
Correct answer: Hygroscopicity
Hygroscopicity is the hair's ability to absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere.
Question 4: The arrector pili muscle is responsible for which action?
- Producing sebum
- Causing goosebumps by raising hair (Correct answer)
- Nourishing the hair follicle
- Controlling hair pigment
Correct answer: Causing goosebumps by raising hair
The arrector pili is a small muscle attached to the hair follicle that contracts to cause the hair to stand upright, producing goosebumps.
Question 5: Which type of melanin gives hair red and blonde tones?
- Eumelanin
- Pheomelanin (Correct answer)
- Carotene
- Keratin
Correct answer: Pheomelanin
Pheomelanin is the pigment responsible for red and blonde hair colors.
Question 6: What is the term for the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the hair and scalp?
- Cerumen
- Sebum (Correct answer)
- Sudor
- Lipase
Correct answer: Sebum
Sebum is the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands that coats the hair shaft and scalp to provide lubrication.
Question 7: During which phase of the hair growth cycle does the hair follicle shrink and hair stops growing?
- Anagen
- Catagen (Correct answer)
- Telogen
- Exogen
Correct answer: Catagen
During the catagen phase (transitional phase), the follicle shrinks and active hair growth ceases.
What is the average growth rate of human hair per month?