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Ask A Scientist©
Biology Archive
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Hair
Author: sanborn
Text: What exactly is hair made of? Why do people go bald?
Response #: 1 of 1
Author: Jim Murray
Text: Hair is mostly made of a protein called keratin that forms long
chains. Proteins are chains of amino acids, organic molecules. People go
bald primarily because of their genes. Of course some environmental stresses
cause hair loss, such as radiation exposure. Male pattern baldness is
genetic, that is heritable, and is often correlated with higher levels of
testosterone in the blood.
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Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.