• Question: does hair colour depend on the type of cells

    Asked by liambennett to Callum, Gina, Katie, Michelle, Sam on 15 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Gina Tse

      Gina Tse answered on 15 Nov 2012:

      Hi Liam,

      Actually all hair cells are the same, what makes the colour is the hair cell! Now, what decides the colour of your hair is genetics! You may have noticed that family members tend to have the same colour hair. Family members share some of the same DNA so are more likely to share the same facial features and looks.

      Depending on your genetics, the cell will make something called melanin, this is a like a natural dye your hair makes. The darkness or lightness of your hair will be based on how much melanin it made.

      I hope that answers your question!

    • Photo: Callum Johnston

      Callum Johnston answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      Yes, the hair that our body produces is coloured by a type of cell called a melanocyte. There are lots of cells at the base of the hair to produce the protein that builds the hair, which is called keratin, and the melanocytes give the hair its colour. If these cells have lots of melanin in them they will make the hair dark and less melanin makes them light.

      When people get old and and their hair goes gray it is because new hairs are still growing but the melanocytes have stopped producing the colour.

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