Unit 3 skillS Hair structure and function H air is a fascinating structure made up of different layers, chemicals bonds and proteins. The hair shaft is the visible part of hair above the scalp and consists of three layers: the cuticle: it is the outermost layer of the hair. It is thin, colourless and protects the cortex. It prevents damage to the hair s inner structure and controls its water content; the cortex: it is the middle layer of the hair made of long keratin filaments twisted together like a rope. It gives hair its strength, colour and texture. All chemical changes like, for example, bleaching, colouring and perming take place in the cortex; the medulla: it is the innermost layer of the hair and it is composed of thin, round, transparent cells and air spaces. Naturally blonde and fine hair generally have a small or no medulla. In general, the main function of body hair is to warm us up and cool us down, but hair protects the skin from the sun s ultra-violet rays and from dust and germs, too. In particular, the hair on our head is an important means of self-expression and has a great aesthetic function. 3 A B C Write down the names of each hair section. 1. 4 2. .......................................... 3. .......................................... Imagine you are a trainee. Complete your notes while you prepare for your last exam. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 32 .......................................... The hair style is a .................................... of self-expression. The hair shaft is the .................................... part of hair. The .................................... protects the cortex. The body s hair regulates the body ..................................... The medulla is the .................................... layer of the hair. The .................................... filaments of the cortex look like a ..................................... bond: legame content: contenuto to cool down: rinfrescare dust: polvere inner: interno innermost: più interno layer: strato means: mezzo outermost: più esterno to prevent: evitare ray: raggio rope: corda shaft: fusto skin: pelle twisted: attorcigliato to warm up: riscaldare