Keratin is a protein that can bind with itself to form various structures like nails and hair in humans. Keratin binds with itself through hydrogen and disulfide bonds. This allows hair to have a thick and wavy appearance when these bonds are in large supply. Chemical straighteners intentionally destroy these bonds to make the hair straight.

Question

Which structural effect for keratin is caused by using chemical straighteners?
Responses

The chemicals cause the keratin to denature, which causes it to degrade and make the hair straight.
The chemicals cause the keratin to denature, which causes it to degrade and make the hair straight.

The chemicals produce a new physical structure that is not natural to the body, so it responds via lysosomal destruction.
The chemicals produce a new physical structure that is not natural to the body, so it responds via lysosomal destruction.

The chemicals bind with other lipids, which causes new hair structures to form.
The chemicals bind with other lipids, which causes new hair structures to form.

The chemicals will interact with the hair cell's genetic material, which causes the genes to behave differently.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The chemicals cause the keratin to denature, which causes it to degrade and make the hair straight.

Chemical straighteners work by breaking the disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds in keratin, causing the protein to lose its natural structure and leading to straightening of the hair. This process essentially denatures the keratin, changing its physical properties and resulting in straighter hair.