Oklahoma Cosmetology Board Practice Exam

Which layer of the hair contains the pigment that gives hair its color?

1. Cuticle

2. Cortex

3. Medulla

4. Follicle

The correct answer is: Cortex

The cortex is the layer of the hair that contains the pigment responsible for giving hair its color. This layer is situated beneath the outer cuticle and is made up of long, strong keratin fibers. Melanin, the pigment that determines the hair color, is found within the cortical cells. The amount, type, and distribution of melanin in the cortex create the various shades of hair color, from blonde to black, and even red. The cuticle serves as a protective outer layer of the hair and does not participate in coloration. The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair that is sometimes absent in finer hair types, and it is not involved in determining hair color. The follicle, on the other hand, is the structure in the skin that surrounds the hair root and provides the necessary environment for hair growth but does not contain the pigment itself. Therefore, the cortex is essential for hair coloration due to its ability to house melanin.