Which of the following is a feature that distinguishes human hair from animal hair?

• A. Presence of a cuticle
• B. Medullary index less than 0.33
• C. Pigment granules evenly distributed
• D. Cortex thicker than the medulla

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of hair: Hair is composed of three main parts - the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
2. Learn about the medullary index: The medullary index is the ratio of the diameter of the medulla to the diameter of the entire hair. It is a key feature in distinguishing human hair from animal hair.
3. Compare human and animal hair: Human hair typically has a medullary index less than 0.33, meaning the medulla is relatively small compared to the overall diameter of the hair.
4. Examine the distribution of pigment granules: In human hair, pigment granules are usually evenly distributed throughout the cortex, whereas in animal hair, they may be concentrated in certain areas.
5. Consider the thickness of the cortex: Human hair generally has a thicker cortex compared to the medulla, which contributes to the overall structure and appearance of the hair.