Which part of the hair contains living cells and can be observed under a microscope?

Which part of the hair contains living cells and can be observed under a microscope?

• A. Hair Bulb
• B. Hair Fiber
• C. Hair Shaft
• D. Hair Strand

Answer: (A)

The living cells are in the hair bulb, the growth zone at the base of the hair follicle. In the bulb, cells in the hair matrix actively divide to form new cells that push upward and later keratinize to become the hair strand. As a result, the hair bulb contains living, metabolizing cells that can be seen under a microscope. The hair shaft (also called the hair fiber or strand) is the portion above the skin and is made of dead, keratinized cells, so it doesn’t contain living cells to observe.

The living cells are in the hair bulb, the growth zone at the base of the hair follicle. In the bulb, cells in the hair matrix actively divide to form new cells that push upward and later keratinize to become the hair strand. As a result, the hair bulb contains living, metabolizing cells that can be seen under a microscope. The hair shaft (also called the hair fiber or strand) is the portion above the skin and is made of dead, keratinized cells, so it doesn’t contain living cells to observe.