Ask A Scientist©

Biology Archive


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.




Back to Biology Ask A Scientist Index
NEWTON Homepage Ask A Question

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators.
Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.