The growth of human hair

The article by Helen J. Jones, published in 1984, describes a practical exercise designed for students to investigate the growth cycle of human hair, which includes the active growth phase (anagen), the resting phase (telogen), and an intermediate phase (catagen). The practical involves plucking hair from the vertex region of the head and categorizing the roots as anagen, telogen, or abnormal by examining them under a light microscope at ×40 magnification. The exercise aims to stimulate interest in hair and can lead to discussions on hair structure, function, variation, and the control of hair growth, which is relevant to conditions such as baldness. The technique used in the practical is also applied in research on hair diseases. The article suggests that this simple scientific method can make the subject area appealing and relevant to students' experiences.