Why is hair curly?

[emnash]

Hello,
I am the mom of a 5 year-old kindergarten girl who wants to particpate in her first science fair. We're trying to choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to her. So, because my daughter has long hair with curls and has always been curious about why her hair is curly, we thought this could make for a fun science fair topic. The problem is I don't know how to turn this question into a scientific experiment with a hypothesis and all. Any advice or recommendations? I would GREATLY appreciate any and all thoughts/help.

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

Here is an explanation of why hair is curly vs. straight:

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/hair.asp

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/c ... m99328.htm

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =102074149

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair

Curly vs. straight hair is an inherited trait. Maube building a family tree of straight vs. curly hair would be of interest, though genetics may be a little advanced for early primary grades:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p010.shtml

Another idea is to investigate the science behind hair perms:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum ... topic=5911

http://toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.a ... ng/hs1.htm

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/g ... n99771.htm

You may want to read through the Science Buddies Project Guide for help on forming your question, hypothesis, variables, etc.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml

I hope these ideas help generate a great fun project for hou!
Good luck, and most important HAVE FUN!!!!!

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson

[MelissaB]

Just to add to the great advice you've already received from Barrett, you might consider having people with curly (and, if you have time, straight) hair try different shampoos or conditioners and then rate the hair products on, for example, their ability to de-tangle curly hair or control frizz. It's a little on the simplistic side, but your daughter is in kindergarten so there's no need to be too complicated.

[deleted-71817]

Just to add onto what information has already been given, I just wanted to give a short answer to your question. (I didn't read any of the info provided in the links, although I am sure they will provide much more information, and certainly provide an in depth explanation) but the short answer is disulfide bonds within the hair cause it to be curly compared to straight hair which does not have the disulfide bonds. The greater the number of disulfide bonds, the curlier the hair!

[emnash]

Oh thank you all so very much!
your information, suggestions and links are so appreciated!
I will try to post a picture of her project when we complete it for you all to see.

[deleted-67747]

Oh thank you all so very much!
your information, suggestions and links are so appreciated!
I will try to post a picture of her project when we complete it for you all to see.

I will be looking forward to that.
Well, I think it's an inherited trait. If you and your husband has straight hair, it doesn't mean that the same type of hair will appear to your children unless you don't have any members in your family whose hair is curly. Maybe you could try the Punnet (is my spelling right? :/ ) square.

Regards,
patrishapink