The researchers made this discovery by examining cell cultures of human hair follicles. They found that the build up of hydrogen peroxide was caused by a reduction of an enzyme that breaks up hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen (catalase). They also discovered that hair follicles could not repair the damage caused by the hydrogen peroxide because of low levels of enzymes that normally serve this function (MSR A and B). Further complicating matters, the high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of MSR A and B, disrupt the formation of an enzyme (tyrosinase) that leads to the production of melanin in hair follicles. Melanin is the pigment responsible for hair color, skin color, and eye color. The researchers speculate that a similar breakdown in the skin could be the root cause of vitiligo.
It is really funny how people are going crazy when they start to get gray but it is natural. Going gray is caused by a massive build up of hydrogen peroxide due to wear and tear of our hair follicles. The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment. It is a totally natural process that everybody has to go through and you can dye your hair anyways.
That's interesting. People usually freak out because it means their getting old. I wonder if stress has anything to do with it?
ReplyDeleteI found this article pretty interesting. It makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteIt actually makes a lot of sense, i just need gray hair so people think im smart
ReplyDeleteThose wily Europeans and their fancy science...
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, Alisa. And definitely relevant to our class. In fact, I think this exact question came up at one point when we were studying the skin and hair. I, of course, didn't have a very good answer...but you've provided a great one. Thanks!
I'm curious why you didn't select "vitiligo" as one of your vocabulary words...?
Good work. 25/25
I went back and re-read this post and the original article and noticed the following:
ReplyDelete"Going gray is caused by a massive build up of hydrogen peroxide due to wear and tear of our hair follicles. The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment."
Alisa...this is quoted directly from the original article. Obviously, it's not acceptable to submit something that somebody else wrote as your own words. I'm going to have to adjust your score and warn you that you'll lose even more credit if I catch something like this again. 20/25
One more thing...I hope you don't mind that I added a picture.
ReplyDelete