Rhode Island Barbering Practice Exam

What are the two basic structures of hair?

1. The hair shaft and the hair follicle

2. The hair root and the hair strand

3. The hair bulb and the outer cuticle

4. The hair shaft and the hair texture

The correct answer is: The hair shaft and the hair follicle

The two basic structures of hair are indeed the hair shaft and the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part of the hair that is visible above the skin and consists mainly of keratin, which is a protein that gives hair its structure. This part determines the overall length, style, and appearance of the hair. In contrast, the hair follicle is the structure beneath the skin's surface that houses the hair root and is responsible for hair growth. It anchors the hair securely into the scalp and provides essential nutrients through the blood supply, influencing the health and vitality of the hair. Understanding these structures is crucial for any barber or stylist, as they inform hair care practices and techniques used in cutting, coloring, and styling hair. The other options presented, while related to hair in some way, do not accurately represent the fundamental structures of hair itself, making them less relevant to the question.