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Why does hair turn white/grey with age?

  • 10-07-2012 8:04pm
    #1
    Sulla Felix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,442 ✭✭✭


    Seeing as it seems to happen in at least a few mammals.
    Is it some kind of energy conservation strategy, coloured hair being more expensive to create for the body?


Comments

  • #2
    dlofnep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,759 ✭✭✭✭dlofnep


    According to wikipedia:
    Two genes appear to be responsible for the process of graying, Bcl2 and Bcl-w[13] The change in hair color occurs when melanin ceases to be produced in the hair root and new hairs grow in without pigment. The stem cells at the base of hair follicles produce melanocytes, the cells that produce and store pigment in hair and skin. The death of the melanocyte stem cells causes the onset of graying.[14] It remains unclear why the stem cells of one hair follicle may die well over a decade before those in adjacent follicles less than a millimeter apart.


  • #3
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,565 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Grey hair is hereditary, you get it from your kids :pac:

    The main animal example that springs to mind is Silverback Gorillas


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