Book 2, Question 88
Why Do We Have Different Hair Colors?
We have different hair colors because of melanin, the natural pigment in hair, and how much we make comes from our genes.
Some hair is black, some is brown, some is blond, and some is red. Melanin paints the strand! Hair can be straight, wavy, curly, or coily, and that also comes from your genes.
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Quick answers
What is hair made of?
Thin strands of hardened protein packed in layers.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), Cleveland Clinic, National Geographic
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Hairs are thin strands of hardened protein packed in layers.
- Hair grows almost everywhere on your body, except places like your lips, palms, and the soles of your feet.
- You have millions of hair follicles on your body, though most of the hair is too fine to notice.
- Body hair helps keep out germs and helps control body temperature.
- Scientists found that blond hair in people of European ancestry comes from a small genetic tweak, like turning a thermostat dial down by about 20 percent.
- Hair color can change over time with age.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), Cleveland Clinic, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Where does the body have no hair?
Your lips, the palms of your hands, and the soles of your feet.