The Science Behind Gray Hair
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Yuqian Xing, Minh Duong, Xiao Liu, Julia Zhao
Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Nature Sunday Academy, 2015-2016
Nanotechnology and Biotechnology-project 2
Variety of the Hair Colors
Hair colors are associated with
ethnic groups and can be
separated into 6
kind
s:
•
Blond,
•
Blond brown,
•
Brown,
•
Brown black,
•
Black,
•
Red.
How many colors for human hair?
Pigment: melanin
What decide the hair colors?
Various amounts and ratios of two different
types of melanin result in the variety of the hair
colors
Black and brown eumelanin
The reason which causes hair color to
turn gray when people get older is the
alteration of melanin level.
New research
discovery:
H
2
O
2
Any other reason?
Knowledge about enzyme?
The other main reason of achromotrichia (hair turn gray) is the reduction of
catalase synthesized when people aging, which causes the accumulation of H
2
O
2
in hair follicle.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
Step 1: Prepare three empty clean vials.
①
③
②
Step 2: Add 20 ml of solution to each vial.
①
and
②
are 1M H
2
O
2
;
③
is pure water, used as a negative control.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
Step 3: Add 100 μl catalase to vial
②
gradually and
slowly. It is
obvious to see the bubbles generated in the solution.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
Step 4: Wait for about 10 minutes until little bubbles observed in
the vial, then put the hairs in each vials.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
Step 5: After 2-3 hours incubation, color fading of hair is
observed in vial
①
only .
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
The reaction is slow. If goes to 24 hours, the results will be:
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H
2
O
2
Step 1: Prepare three vials with 20 ml of dye solution.
1a
3a
2a
Experimental activity 2- Color bleached by H
2
O
2
Step 2: add 100 ul catalase to vial 2 and 1ml H
2
O
2
to vial 1 and 2.
1a
3a
2a
Experimental activity 2- Color bleached by H
2
O
2
Factors may contribute to gray hair
Stress
Life style: nutrition, sleep well…
Reduce stress and live in a health life style
Exploring the reasons behind gray hair, this project delves into the role of melanin levels and the impact of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in hair follicles. Catalase enzyme synthesis and its effect on achromotrichia (hair turning gray) are also investigated through experimental activities. By uncovering these mechanisms, the project sheds light on the natural process of hair graying with age.
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Presentation Transcript
Nature Sunday Academy, 2015-2016 Nanotechnology and Biotechnology-project 2 Why Does Hair Turns to Gray Why Does Hair Turns to Gray Yuqian Xing, Minh Duong, Xiao Liu, Julia Zhao Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 58202
Variety of the Hair Colors How many colors for human hair? Hair colors are associated with ethnic groups and can be separated into 6 kinds: Blond, Blond brown, Brown, Brown black, Black, Red.
What decide the hair colors? Pigment: melanin Black and brown eumelanin Molecular Structure of eumelanin Various amounts and ratios of two different types of melanin result in the variety of the hair colors
The reason which causes hair color to turn gray when people get older is the alteration of melanin level. Any other reason? New research discovery: H2O2
Knowledge about enzyme? Catalase 2 H2O2 2 H2O + O2 The other main reason of achromotrichia (hair turn gray) is the reduction of catalase synthesized when people aging, which causes the accumulation of H2O2 in hair follicle.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 Step 1: Prepare three empty clean vials.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 Step 2: Add 20 ml of solution to each vial. is pure water, used as a negative control. and are 1M H2O2;
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 Step 3: Add 100 l catalase to vial obvious to see the bubbles generated in the solution. gradually and slowly. It is
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 Step 4: Wait for about 10 minutes until little bubbles observed in the vial, then put the hairs in each vials.
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 Step 5: After 2-3 hours incubation, color fading of hair is observed in vial only .
Experimental activity 1-Hair in H2O2 The reaction is slow. If goes to 24 hours, the results will be:
Experimental activity 2- Color bleached by H2O2 Step 1: Prepare three vials with 20 ml of dye solution. 1a 2a 3a
Experimental activity 2- Color bleached by H2O2 Step 2: add 100 ul catalase to vial 2 and 1ml H2O2 to vial 1 and 2. 1a 2a 3a
Factors may contribute to gray hair Stress Life style: nutrition, sleep well Reduce stress and live in a health life style
