When the hair shaft emerges from the scalp, its cells are keratinized and are no longer living. Which statement best describes their living status?

• A. No longer living
• B. Living
• C. Partially living
• D. Alive and functioning

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that hair that has keratinized becomes non-living. As cells move away from the hair follicle, they undergo keratinization, lose their nuclei and most organelles, and become hard keratin. Once fully keratinized, these cells can no longer metabolize, respond to stimuli, or repair themselves. The portion that emerges from the scalp is essentially dead tissue, while the living part remains inside the follicle to grow new hair. So, the best description is that the hair shaft is no longer living.