Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Test Your Hair & Scalp Properties Knowledge

What type of hair is short fine unpigmented and downy? Find out in our quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut style illustration of hair strands and scalp features on sky blue background for cosmetology quiz

This Trichoptilosis quiz helps you practice key hair and scalp facts, from split ends to vellus hair. Use it to spot gaps before an exam or a client consult, and learn a fact or two along the way. For extra practice, try trichology practice or explore hair trivia.

What is trichoptilosis commonly known as?
Dandruff
Matted hair
Seborrhea
Split ends
Trichoptilosis is the clinical term for split ends, where the distal hair shaft splits longitudinally. It is caused by damage to the cuticle layer. Split ends are one of the most common cosmetology concerns worldwide.
Which part of the hair shaft is most affected by trichoptilosis?
Proximal end
Medulla
Distal end
Cuticle
Trichoptilosis typically occurs at the distal end of the hair shaft because this area is oldest and most exposed to environmental stressors. Over time, mechanical and chemical damage accumulate there. The distal end's cuticle is often worn away first, leading to splitting.
Which of the following is a common cause of split ends?
Using conditioner
Frequent hair dyeing
Scalp massage
Low-humidity environments
Frequent hair dyeing involves chemicals that weaken the hair shaft and cuticle, making it more prone to splitting. The bleaching process raises the cortex and strips moisture. This leads to brittleness and eventual breakage.
What is the primary protein that hair is made of?
Collagen
Keratin
Actin
Elastin
Hair is primarily composed of the protein keratin, which forms the structural matrix of the hair shaft. Keratin's strong disulfide bonds give hair its strength and resilience. Damage to keratin can lead to brittleness and splitting.
Which hair care product type helps seal split ends temporarily?
Clarifying shampoo
Hair serum
Leave-in conditioner
Dry shampoo
Hair serums often contain silicones or oils that coat and seal split ends, providing a smoother appearance temporarily. These ingredients fill gaps in the cuticle and reduce friction. However, they do not repair the underlying damage.
Which household tool can damage hair and lead to trichoptilosis?
Wide-tooth comb
Fine-tooth comb on wet hair
Towel wrapping gently
Soft boar bristle brush
Using a fine-tooth comb on wet hair can cause excessive tension and breakage, leading to split ends. Wet hair is more elastic and prone to stretching beyond its limits. It's best to detangle with a wide-tooth comb or brush when dry.
What is the average growth rate of scalp hair per month?
2 inches
1 inch
0.5 inches
0.1 inches
On average, scalp hair grows about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) per month. Growth rates can vary with genetics, health, and season. Knowing this helps in planning trims to manage split ends.
Which vitamin is most associated with healthy hair growth?
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Biotin (vitamin B7) plays a key role in keratin production and supports healthy hair growth. Deficiency can lead to brittle hair and increased split ends. Many supplements target biotin levels.
What is the term for the hair's outermost layer?
Medulla
Cuticle
Bulb
Cortex
The cuticle is the hair's outermost layer, composed of overlapping cells that protect the inner cortex. Damage to the cuticle exposes the cortex and leads to split ends. Healthy cuticles reflect shine and resist breakage.
Which of these practices can help prevent split ends?
Skipping conditioner
Brushing vigorously
Using a heat protectant
Overwashing daily
Using a heat protectant before styling minimizes thermal damage to the hair shaft and cuticle, reducing split ends. These products form a protective barrier against high temperatures. They help maintain moisture and strengthen hair during heat exposure.
What type of brush is recommended to reduce hair breakage?
Metal bristle brush
Velcro brush
Boar bristle brush
Fine-tooth comb
Boar bristle brushes are gentle on the hair cuticle and distribute natural oils, which reduces friction and breakage. They help seal the cuticle scales, promoting shine. Less aggressive detangling prevents split ends.
How often is it recommended to trim hair to prevent split ends?
Every 4 - 6 weeks
Never
Once a year
Every 6 months
Trimming hair every 4 - 6 weeks removes split ends before they worsen and travel up the shaft. Regular trims maintain healthy ends and reduce brittle breakage. This practice supports overall hair health.
Which natural oil is known for moisturizing hair and reducing split ends?
Tea tree oil
Argan oil
Lemon oil
Peppermint oil
Argan oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, providing deep moisture and strengthening the hair shaft to reduce split ends. It smooths the cuticle and adds shine. Regular application can improve hair elasticity.
What hair porosity level is associated with easily absorbing moisture?
High porosity
No porosity
Low porosity
Medium porosity
Medium porosity hair has cuticles that are slightly raised, allowing it to absorb moisture easily while retaining hydration. It responds well to treatments without becoming over-saturated. This balance helps prevent dryness and split ends.
Which hair type is most prone to trichoptilosis?
Fine, straight hair
Short, cropped hair
Coarse, curly hair
Thick, wavy hair
Fine, straight hair has thinner shafts that are more susceptible to mechanical damage and weak cuticles, leading to split ends. Fine hair lacks bulk to withstand friction. Proper care and gentle handling are essential.
What does the "pH" level of a hair product affect?
Cuticle opening and closing
Hair color retention
Oiliness of scalp only
Scent longevity
The pH level of a hair product influences whether the cuticle scales lift (alkaline) or tighten (acidic). Acidic treatments help seal the cuticle, smoothing strands and reducing split ends. Balanced pH products maintain hair health.
Which of the following proteins can strengthen the hair shaft?
Soy protein
Milk protein
Silk protein
Wheat protein
Hydrolyzed wheat protein penetrates the hair shaft, reinforcing the cortex and improving tensile strength. It helps fill in gaps in the cuticle and reduces breakage. Many reparative treatments include wheat protein for repair.
What heating tool temperature is generally safe for most hair types?
Exactly 350°F (177°C)
Above 400°F (204°C)
500°F (260°C)
Below 300°F (150°C)
Heat styling below 300°F (150°C) reduces the risk of thermal damage to the hair shaft and cuticle. Higher temperatures can strip moisture and weaken keratin bonds, leading to split ends. Always use heat protectants.
Which chemical process can weaken hair and cause split ends?
Cold perming
Cool rinsing
Deep conditioning
Bleaching
Bleaching uses strong oxidizing agents that lift the cuticle and remove natural pigments, severely drying and weakening the hair shaft. The process can lead to brittleness and split ends. Proper aftercare is crucial.
Which element is often missing in brittle hair prone to splitting?
Calcium
Iron
Zinc
Sulfur
Sulfur is a key component of cysteine in keratin, forming disulfide bonds that strengthen hair. Low sulfur levels can lead to weaker keratin structures and increased splitting. Sulfur-rich diets and treatments help reinforce hair.
Which scalp condition can indirectly contribute to split ends?
Seborrheic dermatitis
Alopecia areata
Trichotillomania
Folliculitis
Seborrheic dermatitis can cause excessive oil or scaling that leads to harsh shampoos and over-washing, drying hair and making split ends more likely. Managing scalp health reduces aggressive treatments.
What is the effect of hard water on hair?
Hydrates cuticle
Builds mineral deposits
Increases elasticity
Enhances color retention
Hard water deposits minerals like calcium and magnesium on the hair shaft, making it rough and prone to split ends. These minerals interfere with moisture absorption and styling. Chelating shampoos can remove buildup.
Which ingredient would you find in a reparative hair mask?
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Fragrance
Hydrolyzed keratin
Alcohol denat
Hydrolyzed keratin is used in reparative masks to penetrate and reinforce the cortex, restoring tensile strength and smoothing cuticle edges. It helps reduce breakage and split ends.
Which term refers to downy, fine hair on the body?
Lanugo
Vellus hair
Whiskers
Terminal hair
Vellus hair is fine, downy hair covering much of the body, distinct from coarser terminal hair. It has a small shaft and does not usually split like terminal hair. Understanding hair types aids in targeted treatments.
What describes the ideal climate setting for hair moisture?
Cold and dry
Very dry and hot
Moderate humidity and temperature
High heat and low humidity
Moderate humidity and temperature help hair maintain moisture balance without excessive frizz or dryness, reducing split ends. Extreme climates can strip or overload moisture. Controlled environments support hair health.
Which supplement is recommended to support hair structure?
Vitamin K
Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamin E
Collagen peptides
Collagen peptides provide amino acids that help rebuild keratin structures in hair, improving strength and flexibility. They support internal hair health and reduce split ends. Many clinical trials support collagen's benefits.
How does UV radiation contribute to trichoptilosis?
By tightening the cuticle
By increasing sebum production
By breaking disulfide bonds in keratin
By reducing hair porosity
UV radiation induces free radicals that cleave keratin's disulfide bonds, weakening the hair shaft and leading to split ends. Prolonged sun exposure also degrades cuticle lipids. Using UV-protective products can mitigate damage.
What is the role of the cuticle's overlapping cells?
To produce pigment
To anchor the follicle
To protect internal cortex
To regulate hair growth
The cuticle's overlapping cells form a protective barrier around the cortex, preventing external damage and moisture loss. They maintain hair integrity by smoothing the shaft. Cuticle erosion leads to fragility and split ends. Cuticle function study
In a protein reconstruction treatment, which chemical is commonly used?
Keratin hydrolysate
Ammonium thioglycolate
Cysteamine
Formaldehyde
Keratin hydrolysate is used in reconstruction treatments to penetrate and rebuild weakened hair structures. It replenishes lost keratin fragments in the cortex. This restores strength and reduces splitting.
What is the significance of cysteine in hair?
It produces sebum
It hydrates the cuticle
It forms disulfide bridges in keratin
It colors the hair cortex
Cysteine provides sulfur atoms that form disulfide bridges in keratin, creating strong cross-links essential for hair strength and elasticity. Disruption of these bonds leads to weakened shafts and split ends.
How does sebum distribution affect hair health?
Causes cortex separation
Lubricates and protects the cuticle
Removes protein from cortex
Increases hair porosity
Sebum naturally produced by the scalp coats the hair shaft, lubricating and sealing the cuticle scales. This protective layer reduces friction and environmental damage. Proper distribution prevents dryness and split ends.
What is the mechanism behind thermal protectants?
They form a heat-absorbing barrier
They oxidize keratin
They increase hair porosity
They strip away the cuticle
Thermal protectants contain polymers and silicones that create a barrier on the hair shaft, absorbing and distributing heat away from the cuticle. This prevents thermal degradation of keratin bonds. Regular use reduces split ends.
How do environmental pollutants affect hair shaft integrity?
They seal the cuticle scales
They reduce hair porosity
They cause oxidative stress and cuticle abrasion
They strengthen disulfide bonds
Pollutants like ozone and particulates generate free radicals that induce oxidative stress, breaking down keratin and abrading the cuticle. This cumulative damage leads to split ends and dullness. Clarifying treatments can remove residues.
What test measures the hair's tensile strength?
Microscopy analysis
pH meter test
Tensiometer assay
Porosity test
Tensiometer assays measure the force required to stretch or break hair fibers, indicating tensile strength. Decreased strength often correlates with cuticle damage and split ends. This is a standard trichology technique.
How does humidity fluctuation affect hair porosity?
It hardens keratin
It causes cuticle swelling and raising
It stabilizes the cuticle
It reduces moisture intake
High humidity causes hair fibers to swell and lift the cuticle, increasing porosity and frizz. Low humidity tightens cuticles but can dry out the hair. These shifts can weaken strands and promote splitting.
In trichology, what is the relation between androgenetic alopecia and split ends?
Alopecia thins hair, making ends more fragile
Alopecia increases sebum, reducing splits
Alopecia closes cuticles, preventing splits
They are unrelated conditions
Androgenetic alopecia leads to progressive thinning of hair shafts, which become more fragile and prone to splitting at the ends. Reduced shaft diameter compromises tensile strength. Managing miniaturization can improve overall hair health.
What is the difference between catagen and telogen phase concerning hair damage?
Catagen is transition, telogen is resting but more brittle
Catagen has active splitting, telogen has none
Catagen is growth, telogen is rest
Telogen is growth, catagen is resting
During catagen, hair transitions and is less susceptible to split ends. In telogen, the hair rests and may weaken at the root, making the entire shaft more brittle over time. Understanding cycle phases aids in timing treatments.
Which amino acid deficiency influences hair breaking?
Proline
Lysine
Methionine
Glycine
Methionine is a sulfur-containing amino acid crucial for keratin synthesis and disulfide bond formation. Deficiency reduces hair tensile strength, leading to increased breakage and split ends. Dietary intake supports hair integrity.
Which advanced technology can detect hair shaft abnormalities?
X-ray diffraction
Ultrasound imaging
Electron microscopy
CT scanning
Electron microscopy provides high-resolution images of the hair shaft, revealing cuticle erosion, splits, and structural anomalies. It is a gold standard for diagnosing trichoptilosis. Other imaging methods lack the required detail.
Describe the molecular structure alteration in keratin during over-processing.
Formation of new cross-links with melanin
Increased hydrogen bonds without damage
Cleavage of disulfide bridges leading to random coil formation
Enhanced alpha-helix stability
Over-processing with chemicals or heat breaks keratin's disulfide bridges, converting ordered alpha-helices into random coils. This structural loss reduces tensile strength and elasticity, leading to split ends. Restorative treatments target disulfide bond reforming.
How do polarizing microscopy techniques aid in diagnosing trichoptilosis?
By measuring hair tensile strength
By revealing pigment changes only
By heating hair under polarized light
By differentiating cortex and cuticle birefringence patterns
Polarizing microscopy exploits birefringence differences between the cuticle and cortex to highlight structural splits and microfibril disorganization. It provides clear contrast for diagnosing trichoptilosis at a micro level.
What is the effect of lipid covalents in hair fiber cross-linking?
They increase hair porosity
They destabilize keratin bonds
They disperse sebum evenly
They reinforce hydrophobic interactions and cuticle adhesion
Lipid covalents form hydrophobic bonds that reinforce keratin microfibril matrices and improve cuticle-cell cohesion. This enhances mechanical strength and resistance to splitting. Treatments incorporating ceramides target these lipids.
How can peptide-based treatments be optimized to repair split ends at the nanoscale?
By omitting carrier molecules
By formulating with nanocarriers for deep cortex penetration
By using large peptide aggregates
By applying at high temperatures
Nanocarrier systems deliver peptides into the cortex, where they can interact directly with keratin networks at the molecular level. This targeted delivery seals micro-splits and rebuilds structural integrity. Research in nanotechnology shows improved repair outcomes.
0
{"name":"What is trichoptilosis commonly known as?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What is trichoptilosis commonly known as?, Which part of the hair shaft is most affected by trichoptilosis?, Which of the following is a common cause of split ends?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Definition of Trichoptilosis -

    Understand that trichoptilosis is the technical term for split ends, reinforcing your ability to fill in the blank for "trichoptilosis is the technical term for ____."

  2. Lanugo Hair Identification -

    Identify the hair type described by the question "what type of hair is short fine unpigmented and downy" as lanugo hair, boosting your classification skills.

  3. Comparison of Hair Types -

    Differentiate between various hair types and scalp properties, such as vellus, terminal, and lanugo, to deepen your cosmetology knowledge.

  4. Practical Scalp Assessment Skills -

    Apply key hair and scalp concepts to real-world scenarios, sharpening your ability to perform accurate assessments as a cosmetology pro on ProProfs.

  5. Quiz-Based Skill Enhancement -

    Evaluate and sharpen your cosmetology skills through targeted ProProfs quiz scenarios, gaining confidence and professional insight.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Trichoptilosis Defined -

    Trichoptilosis is the technical term for split ends, describing the fraying of the hair shaft's distal end due to mechanical or chemical damage. Simple routines like gentle detangling, bi-monthly trims, and protein-rich conditioners can boost shine and minimize damage (Milady's Standard Cosmetology).

  2. Lanugo Hair Identification -

    The question "what type of hair is short fine unpigmented and downy" refers to lanugo, the soft fetal hair that may persist on newborns or between vellus hairs in adults. A handy mnemonic is "Lanugo = Little Airy Nuzzle Underneath Grainy Outline" (American Academy of Dermatology).

  3. Hair Growth Cycle Phases -

    Hair grows in three stages: anagen (active, 2 - 6 years), catagen (brief transition, ~2 weeks), and telogen (resting, ~3 months), according to the Journal of Cosmetic Science. Understanding these phases empowers cosmetology proprofs to confidently plan treatments and predict regrowth patterns.

  4. Hair Shaft Structure -

    The hair shaft has three layers: the protective cuticle, the fibrous cortex, and sometimes a medulla. Think "CCM" (Cuticle, Cortex, Medulla) and visualize an onion to remember these concentric layers (American Hair Research Society).

  5. Common Scalp Conditions -

    Key scalp issues include dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis), folliculitis, and psoriasis, each requiring protocols like medicated shampoos or topical corticosteroids. Refer to the American Academy of Dermatology for evidence-based treatment guidelines to keep clients comfortable and confident.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Human Anatomy & Medicine Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker