N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
August 27, 2007 04:30

Why does our hair grow white as we grow older?

Hi, this question just came to me while I was looking at some old photos! Why does our hair grow white as we grow older? and why do some people grow white hair earlier than others?
TAGS:
soulbreaker, MEMBER
Adult, Singapore
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 1, 2007 23:26

Hmm.. interesting question, take a look here--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_hair_color

 		 
 
  
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Hmm.. interesting question, take a look here--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_hair_color


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
September 3, 2007 03:33

Thanks! It was very interesting. It says basically that the stem cells at the base of hair follicles produce melanocytes, the cells that produce and store pigment in hair and skin. As people age the melanocyte stem cells die, therefore the color of the hair changes, turning from its natural color to gray and then to white. But this brings up a new question: Why DO the stem cells die in the first place? And I have also herd that stress or a big shock can affect the color of the hair. Is that true?Post edited by: N@alia, at: 2007/09/03 21:51

 		 
 
  
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Thanks! It was very interesting. It says basically that the stem cells at the base of hair follicles produce melanocytes, the cells that produce and store pigment in hair and skin. As people age the melanocyte stem cells die, therefore the color of the hair changes, turning from its natural color to gray and then to white. But this brings up a new question: Why DO the stem cells die in the first place? And I have also herd that stress or a big shock can affect the color of the hair. Is that true?Post edited by: N@alia, at: 2007/09/03 21:51


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Richard, MENTOR
Adult, United Kingdom
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 5, 2007 03:14

Hi

Indeed: why do stem cells die? Excellent research question! It might be a maintenance problem or they might be genetically programmed to die after a certain number of cell divisions - try looking up the Hayflick limit.
Whatever the cause, the process could be accelerated by the body's response to severe stress or trauma. Stories of hair turning white overnight, however, are myth. Can you see why?

 		 
 
  
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Hi


Indeed: why do stem cells die? Excellent research question! It might be a maintenance problem or they might be genetically programmed to die after a certain number of cell divisions - try looking up the Hayflick limit.

Whatever the cause, the process could be accelerated by the body's response to severe stress or trauma. Stories of hair turning white overnight, however, are myth. Can you see why?


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littlecuriousgirl, MEMBER
16, Singapore
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 5, 2007 17:16

Is there a way to slow down the cell division of the stem cells so that they do not die out that fast? Or is it impossible?

:pinch:

littlecuriousgirl

 		 
 
  
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Is there a way to slow down the cell division of the stem cells so that they do not die out that fast? Or is it impossible?  


:pinch: 


littlecuriousgirl


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
September 6, 2007 22:01

Thanks!:)

I did presume that it could be a maintenance problem, but I didn?t know that there might be genetically programmed to die after a certain number of cell divisions! It sounds like a computer program! Only a bit more complicated.

Yes, it?s impossible for hair to grow so quickly! It wouldn?t be easy for people if it did. And it doesn?t grow white all of a sudden. It usually starts around 40 years old and takes many more for all of the hair to grow white. I guess that the reason we have hair is to protect our head from the heat or cold. If it was too long it would be more of a trouble than help. I guess.

I read the page about the hayflick limit, but I find it a bit difficult. I understand the bit about the hair, but then since all cells die after they have been divided around 50 times, (52 max for the human cells) why doesn?t our whole body die when our hair grows white? What is so special about the 52 number? Do different cells divide in different ways and maybe slower than the hair stem cells? Is that one of the reasons we die? because our cells have stopped dividing them selves and they die?

 		 
 
  
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Thanks!:)


I did presume that it could be a maintenance problem, but I didn?t know that there might be genetically programmed to die after a certain number of cell divisions! It sounds like a computer program! Only a bit more complicated.


Yes, it?s impossible for hair to grow so quickly! It wouldn?t be easy for people if it did. And it doesn?t grow white all of a sudden. It usually starts around 40 years old and takes many more for all of the hair to grow white. I guess that the reason we have hair is to protect our head from the heat or cold. If it was too long it would be more of a trouble than help. I guess.


I read the page about the hayflick limit, but I find it a bit difficult. I understand the bit about the hair, but then since all cells die after they have been divided around 50 times, (52 max for the human cells) why doesn?t our whole body die when our hair grows white? What is so special about the 52 number? Do different cells divide in different ways and maybe slower than the hair stem cells? Is that one of the reasons we die? because our cells have stopped dividing them selves and they die?


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Richard, MENTOR
Adult, United Kingdom
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 8, 2007 01:03

littlecuriousgirl wrote:
Is there a way to slow down the cell division of the stem cells so that they do not die out that fast? Or is it impossible?

I don't know but even if you did the result would be early greying of hair, though with slower loss of colour. This is because slowing the division of the stem cells would produce fewer melanocytes so less melanin - the natural hair colourant - would be produced.

 		 
 
  
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littlecuriousgirl wrote:

Is there a way to slow down the cell division of the stem cells so that they do not die out that fast? Or is it impossible?  


I don't know but even if you did the result would be early greying of hair, though with slower loss of colour. This is because slowing the division of the stem cells would produce fewer melanocytes so less melanin - the natural hair colourant - would be produced.


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Richard, MENTOR
Adult, United Kingdom
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 8, 2007 02:23

N@alia wrote:
I ...why doesn?t our whole body die when our hair grows white? What is so special about the 52 number? Do different cells divide in different ways and maybe slower than the hair stem cells? Is that one of the reasons we die? because our cells have stopped dividing them selves and they die?

Chromosomes end in telomeres which shorten each time the cell divides. After about 50 divisions the telomeres are worn down and stop further cell division. This process fails in cancer cells so they divide without limit.

Natural death happens because of the failure of a vital organ such as the heart. This is normally because of such events as lack of blood flow to the heart. Since we lose heart cells as we age, if we lived long enough, the heart would eventually fail. Though there is some evidence for replacement, it is generally thought that most heart cells do not divide and so, surprisingly, last a lifetime!

 		 
 
  
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N@alia wrote:

I ...why doesn?t our whole body die when our hair grows white? What is so special about the 52 number? Do different cells divide in different ways and maybe slower than the hair stem cells? Is that one of the reasons we die? because our cells have stopped dividing them selves and they die?


Chromosomes end in telomeres which shorten each time the cell divides. After about 50 divisions the telomeres are worn down and stop further cell division. This process fails in cancer cells so they divide without limit.


Natural death happens because of the failure of a vital organ such as the heart. This is normally because of such events as lack of blood flow to the heart. Since we lose heart cells as we age, if we lived long enough, the heart would eventually fail. Though there is some evidence for replacement, it is generally thought that most heart cells do not divide and so, surprisingly, last a lifetime!


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
September 9, 2007 02:42

Wow!:cheer:
So that's why cancer is so dangerous, because if you have an operation and some of it or even a few cells remain inside the body, they will multiply and eventually spread, damaging parts of your body?

But since the cells divide them selves around 50 times, and their descendants divide them selves around 50 times and so on, why do they all die out? Or do they leave fewer descendants as time passes?Post edited by: N@alia, at: 2007/09/09 02:43

 		 
 
  
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Wow!:cheer:

So that's why cancer is so dangerous, because if you have an operation and some of it or even a few cells remain inside the body, they will multiply and eventually spread, damaging parts of your body?


But since the cells divide them selves around 50 times, and their descendants divide them selves around 50 times and so on, why do they all die out? Or do they leave fewer descendants as time passes?Post edited by: N@alia, at: 2007/09/09 02:43


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Richard, MENTOR
Adult, United Kingdom
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 17, 2007 03:51

Yes, a malignant cancer is very difficult to treat because any cells left will continue to divide.

Why do stem cells die out? Consider what a stem cell is doing: each time it divides it replicates itself and produces a non-stem cell. It can only do this until the telomeres have worn down then it can't divide anymore.
Other than cancer cells, the only ones that can divide indefinitely are egg cells.

 		 
 
  
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Yes, a malignant cancer is very difficult to treat because any cells left will continue to divide.


Why do stem cells die out? Consider what a stem cell is doing: each time it divides it replicates itself and produces a non-stem cell. It can only do this until the telomeres have worn down then it can't divide anymore.

Other than cancer cells, the only ones that can divide indefinitely are egg cells.


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bangthewall, MEMBER
19, Singapore
0 points (HYDROGEN)
September 17, 2007 18:47

what i know is that the hair folicle loses its pigment...
as time goes by and we grow older...
its something like the 'wear and tear' principle.
thus, pigment that the hair has loses it's colour slowly,it gradually turns white slowly...

the amazing thing is that no matter what colour your hair is,it will still turn white...(that is if you do not dye your hair)

In truth and love,
Celia

 		 
 
  
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what i know is that the hair folicle loses its pigment...

as time goes by and we grow older...

its something like the 'wear and tear' principle.

thus, pigment that the hair has loses it's colour slowly,it gradually turns white slowly...


the amazing thing is that no matter what colour your hair is,it will still turn white...(that is if you do not dye your hair)


In truth and love,

Celia


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    [profile_city] => Singapore
    [profile_address1] => NULL
    [profile_address2] => NULL
    [contact] => 0
    [profile_country] => 
    [profile_title] => 
    [profile_affiliation] => 
    [profile_pro_interests] => 
    [profile_languages] => 
    [profile_comments] => 
    [depth] => 0
    [new] => 0
)