5. Which part of the hair is not anchored to the follicle and is exposed at the skin's surface?
Answer: D
The part of the hair that is not anchored to the follicle and is exposed at the skin's surface is the shaft.
The shaft is the visible portion of the hair that extends above the skin's surface, making it the part that is not anchored to the follicle, unlike the other components.
A) Follicle
The follicle is the structure within the skin that anchors the hair and is responsible for its growth. It is not exposed at the skin's surface, as it lies beneath the epidermis.
B) Root
The root of the hair is the portion located beneath the surface of the skin and is embedded in the hair follicle. This part is also not exposed, as it is connected to the follicle, unlike the shaft.
C) Matrix
The matrix is the area located at the base of the hair follicle where cell division occurs, leading to hair growth. It is entirely contained within the follicle and is not visible or exposed at the skin's surface.
D) Shaft
The shaft is the part of the hair that is visible above the skin's surface and is not anchored to the follicle. This makes it the correct answer to the question regarding which part of the hair is exposed.
Conclusion
The shaft is definitively correct as it is the only part of the hair that is visible and not anchored to the follicle. In contrast, the follicle, root, and matrix are all parts of the hair that are located beneath the skin, making them incorrect choices for this question.