Barber Practice State Board Practice Exam

What is the primary function of the hair bulb?

1. To color the hair strands

2. To produce hair fibers

3. To cover the dermal papilla

4. To anchor hair follicles to the scalp

The correct answer is: To cover the dermal papilla

The primary function of the hair bulb is to produce hair fibers. The hair bulb is located at the base of the hair follicle and contains living cells that divide and grow to form hair strands. This growth occurs as the cells keratinize, meaning they fill with keratin, a protein that makes up the hair structure. While the hair bulb does have interactions with the dermal papilla, which supplies nutrients and signals for hair growth, its main role is in the actual production of the hair itself. The dermal papilla is situated at the bottom of the hair bulb but is not covered by it; rather, the bulb surrounds the papilla. Thus, the primary function focuses on hair generation rather than covering or anchoring, which involves different parts of hair anatomy.