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Hair and Fiber Unit Test - Printable Science Worksheets 12th Grade - Wayground

Hair and Fiber Unit Test

Alexa Bryant

Created by Alexa Bryant

25 questions

12th Grade

Science

This Grade 12 science unit test assesses foundational knowledge of hair and fiber evidence in forensic investigation. Across 24 multiple-choice questions and one fill-in-the-blank item, students identify hair structures such as the cuticle, cortex, and medulla; recognize medulla patterns; distinguish human from animal hair; classify fibers as natural or synthetic; and identify natural fiber sources and synthetic fibers as man-made. The worksheet also checks students’ understanding of hair composition, melanin, textile fibers, fiber-evidence interpretation, and the role of a hair root in nuclear DNA testing. Multiple-choice and true-or-false items require students to evaluate definitions and evidence-related statements, while the fill-in-the-blank item reinforces precise scientific vocabulary. Designed for Grade 12 science review or assessment, this free printable worksheet includes a complete answer key for efficient grading.

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Hair and Fiber Unit Test

Total questions: 25

Name
Class
Date
1.

The tough outer covering of a hair composed of overlapping scales.

a)

Cortex

b)

Cuticle

c)

Medulla

2.
The following medulla pattern is called
The following medulla pattern is called
a)
fragmented 
b)
continuous
c)
interrupted
3.
The picture shows a __________ hair.

The picture shows a __________ hair.

a)

human

b)

animal

4.
Fibers are classified as either:
a)
natural fibers or synthetic fibers.
b)
polymers or synthetic fibers.
c)
acrylic fibers or plant fibers.
d)
olefins or synthetic fibers
5.
What kind of hair is this?

What kind of hair is this?

a)

Human

b)

Animal

6.

Natural fibers come from:

a)

animals.

b)

plants.

c)

minerals.

d)

All of these choices.

7.

Which of the following statements is not true about fiber evidence?

a)

To determine what it is you can burn it

b)

Looking under a microscope you can tell natural from synthetic

c)

Different weave patterns exist because different fabric has different purposes

d)

Fibers are considered individual evidence

8.

What is hair made of?

a)

Fibers

b)

Keratin

c)

Polymers

9.

In order to test hair evidence for nuclear DNA, the (a)   must be present.

10.

Hair is composed of three principal parts:

a)

Fibers, cortex, cuticle

b)

Pigments, root, medulla

c)

Cuticle, Cortex, Medulla

11.

__________ fibers come from plants and animals.

a)

Synthetic

b)

Natural

12.

________ fibers are man-made.

a)

Synthetic

b)

Natural

13.

True or False: A fiber is the largest unit of a textile material that has a length many times greater than its diameter.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

True or False: common fibers such as white cotton or blue denim fibers can be very helpful to an investigation

a)

True

b)

False

15.
A pigment is a molecule that reflects light.  We have a pigment in our hair, skin, and eyes that determines their color.  What do we call this pigment?
a)
Melanin
b)
Cortical Fusi
c)
Cuticles
d)
Chlorophyll
16.
What kind of medulla is this?
What kind of medulla is this?
a)
Fragmented
b)
Continuous
c)
Interrupted/Intermittent
d)
There is no medulla - Absent
17.
What kind of medulla is this?
What kind of medulla is this?
a)
Fragmented
b)
Continuous
c)
Interrupted/Intermittent
d)
There is no medulla - Absent
18.
Cotton is an example of what type of fiber?
a)
Animal/Protein
b)
Plant/Cellulose
c)
Mineral
d)
Synthetic
19.
Which of the following types of medullas are NOT commonly found in human hair?
a)
continuous
b)
absent
c)
interrupted
d)
fragmented
20.
In which phase of hair growth is hair actively growing?
a)
anagen
b)
catagen
c)
telogen
d)
melanen
21.
Which phase of hair growth is the intermediate period of hair growth and lasts about three weeks?
a)
anagen
b)
catagen
c)
telogen
d)
melanen
22.
What can be said about hair that is in the anagen phase, is no longer in the scalp and has follicular tissue attached?
a)
the hair has been forcibly removed
b)
the hair fell out of the scalp
c)
the hair has been bleached to often and has died
d)
the hair died from being too dry
23.
Hair is helpful in solving old crimes because…
a)
hair on a suspect never changes
b)
hair always contains DNA evidence
c)
hair takes little room to store in evidence closets
d)
hair does not easily decompose
24.
The most common type of regenerated fiber, derived from cellulose is
a)
cotton
b)
rayon
c)
silk
d)
nylon
25.
What cuticle type is in the picture?

What cuticle type is in the picture?

a)

Coronal

b)

Imbricate

c)

Spinous

WaygroundAnswer Key

Hair and Fiber Unit Test

Total questions: 25

1.
b)

Cuticle

2.
b) continuous
3.
b)

animal

4.
a) natural fibers or synthetic fibers.
5.
b)

Animal

6.
d)

All of these choices.

7.
d)

Fibers are considered individual evidence

8.
b)

Keratin

9.
root, Root, root, Roots, follicle, follicles, folicle
10.
c)

Cuticle, Cortex, Medulla

11.
b)

Natural

12.
a)

Synthetic

13.
b)

False

14.
b)

False

15.
a) Melanin
16.
a) Fragmented
17.
d) There is no medulla - Absent
18.
b) Plant/Cellulose
19.
a) continuous
20.
a) anagen
21.
b) catagen
22.
a) the hair has been forcibly removed
23.
d) hair does not easily decompose
24.
b) rayon
25.
c)

Spinous

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FAQs

What does the Hair and Fiber Unit Test cover?

This Grade 12 science worksheet assesses how students identify hair structures, including the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, recognize medulla patterns, and distinguish human from animal hair. Its multiple-choice items also require students to classify fibers as natural or synthetic, identify fiber sources, interpret evidence-related statements, and apply the role of a hair root in nuclear DNA testing; one fill-in-the-blank item checks precise vocabulary.

How can I use this worksheet to teach hair and fiber evidence?

Use the worksheet after introducing a labeled hair diagram and a comparison chart for human versus animal hair and natural versus synthetic fibers. Have students explain the reasoning behind selected multiple-choice answers, especially the differences among the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, then use the fill-in-the-blank DNA item to discuss why the root matters in nuclear DNA testing.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this hair and fiber worksheet?

Students may confuse the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, or mistake a continuous medulla pattern for an interrupted or fragmented one. They may also reverse natural and synthetic fiber classifications, overlook that the hair root is the required response for the DNA item, or select melanin instead of another hair-related term when identifying the pigment associated with color. Review the wording of the true-or-false and “not true” items carefully, since they test whether students can evaluate evidence claims rather than simply recall definitions.

How do I assign and grade the Hair and Fiber Unit Test?

The Hair and Fiber Unit Test is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, and it includes a complete answer key for all 25 items. Printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this hair and fiber worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the 24 multiple-choice items and the fill-in-the-blank response are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language while preserving its hair- and fiber-evidence format.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a broad collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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