Cuticle Collection

Water lily leaf, light micrograph
Water lily leaf. Light micrograph of a transverse section through the leaf of a water lily (Nympha sp.) plant. All aquatic plants (hydrophytes) have a similar structure

Modern Beauty Culture: The electric manicure machine (b / w photo)
5998097 Modern Beauty Culture: The electric manicure machine (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The electric manicure machine)

Leaf and water droplets
Fresh Dew droplets cling to the water repellant surface of the leaf

Giant panda hair, SEM C019 / 0254
Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) hair, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Magnification: x600 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Gastrotrich, SEM C019 / 0231
Gastrotrich. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Chaetonotus sp. gastrotrich. Gastrotrichs are microscopic, worm-like animals found in both freshwater and marine habitats

Gastrotrich, SEM C019 / 0232
Gastrotrich. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Chaetonotus sp. gastrotrich. Gastrotrichs are microscopic, worm-like animals found in both freshwater and marine habitats

Human hair, SEM C014 / 0307
Human hair. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the surface of a human hair. Hairs are made up of dead tissue

Damaged human hair shaft SEM
Damaged human hair shaft, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This can be caused by overheating the hair using curling tongs or hair straigheners, as well as chemical dyes

Human hair shaft with split ends SEM
Human hair shaft with split ends, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This can be caused by overheating the hair using curling tongs or hair straigheners, as well as chemical dyes

Flowers of blue Meconopsis poppy C013 / 5131
Flowers of the blue poppy, Meconopsis Fertile Seed Group. Originally introduced from W China in 1924 as Meconopsis betonicifolia, blue poppies have since interbred extensively in cultivation

Camel hair, SEM
Camel hair. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the structure of hairs from a bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Reindeer hair, SEM
Reindeer hair. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the structure of hairs from a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Collembola, springtail
Scanning electron microscope image of a springtail head (x 300)

Collembola sp. springtail
Scanning electron microscope image of a springtail showing the characteristic pattern on the cuticle surface (x 3.5K)

Human hair
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showing a human hair with the cuticle reflexed

Spider trichobothrium hair
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the base of a trichobothrium hair (x 1, 000). The hair is an air-movement sensor extending from the pit in the cuticle of a spiders leg

Springtail body surface, SEM
Springtail body surface. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the body surface of a springtail insect (order Collembola). The hairs (setae) and scales are typical of this group

Nematode worms, SEM
Nematode worm. Scanning electron micrograph of a juvenile Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematode worm (centre) shedding its cuticle (outer coat, centre right) as it develops into an adult

Cubic close-packed crystal structure
Haemoglobin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a haemoglobin molecule. Haemoglobin is a metalloprotein that transports oxygen around the body in red blood cells

Fox hair, SEM
Fox hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hairs from a fox (family Canidae). The outside of the hair, the cuticle

Dragonfly metamorphosis. Adult dragonfly on a plant stems after emerging from the nypmh stage. The discarded exoskeleton is beneath it

Flys eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a flys (order Diptera) compound eye. The eye is made up of numerous visual units, known as ommatidia

Flys eye, SEM
Flys eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a flys compound eye. Protective bristles cover its surface. The eye is made up of numerous visual units, known as ommatidia

Hair shaft and skin, SEM
Hair shaft and skin. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a hair shaft (dark brown, left) growing from the surface of human skin

Human skin, polarised light micrograph
Human skin. Polarised light micrograph of a section through human skin showing hair follicles (black). The top layer of the skin

Artwork of the structure of a human hair

Hair, SEM
Hair fracture. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fractured hair (yellow and pink). The surrounding layer of facial skin (brown) has a typically scale-like surface

Palm. Magnified section of palm, historical artwork. The external ridged surface is the cuticle, with the thin layer of skin below this known as the rete mucosum, or epidermis

Magnified section of scalp, historical artwork. The external surface is the cuticle, with the layer of skin below this known as the rete mucosum, or epidermis

SEM of hair on scalp
Hair. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of hairs protruding from the surface of the scalp. Numerous desquamating cells (pink) are concentrically arranged around the base of the hair shaft

Coloured SEM of laser writing on a human hair
Laser script on human hair. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of writing on a human hair performed by a medical laser

Nasturtium stem, SEM
Nasturtium stem. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a freeze-fractured Nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.) stem, showing numerous vascular bundles (such as at upper centre)

Water lily stem, SEM
Water lily stem. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a freeze-fractured water lily stem showing numerous vascular bundles (grey) and large intercellular air spaces (holes)

Cashmere wool, SEM
Cashmere wool. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hair fibres from the cashmere goat. The cuticle (outer layer) of the hair comprises overlapping scales

Common rush stem, light micrograph
Common rush stem. Light micrograph of a section through the stem of a common rush (Juncus conglomeratus) plant, showing stellate cells

Sharp rush stem, light micrograph
Sharp rush stem. Light micrograph of a section through the stem of a sharp rush (Juncus acutus) plant. This arid-adapted plant (xerophyte) has scattered vascular bundles

Ammophila arenaria leaf, light micrograph
Ammophila arenaria leaf. Polarised light micrograph of a section through a marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) leaf, showing the characteristics that help reduce water loss

Hair shaft, light micrograph
Hair shaft, differential interference contrast light micrograph. The outer layer of a hair shaft (the cuticle) has overlapping scales of keratin

Mint leaf surface, SEM
Mint leaf surface. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a mint (Menta sp.) leaf. The white structures are oil glands

Human hair, SEM
Human hair, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Hairs are made up of dead tissue. The outside of the hair, the cuticle

Oleander leaf, light micrograph
Oleander leaf. Light micrograph of a section through the leaf of an oleander (Nerium oleander) tree, showing its sunken stomata (gaps, centre left and right)

Pine tree needle, light micrograph
Pine tree needle. Polarised light micrograph of a cross-section through a needle from a Pinus pine tree. This leaf is needle-like in order to reduce water loss (transpiration)

Hair shaft anatomy, artwork
Hair shaft anatomy. Cutaway artwork showing the internal structure and anatomy of a human hair. Hair is made of a fibrous protein called keratin

Insect anatomy, artwork
Insect anatomy. Computer artwork of a cross-section through the body of a typical Insect showing the main structures and organs. For the labelled diagram see image: C008/8724

Newly-emerged dragonflies. Adult dragonflies (order Odonata) on plant stems after emerging from the nypmh stage. Their discarded nymphal cases (exuviae) can be seen below and between them

Kidney bean stem, light micrograph
Kidney bean stem. Light micrograph of a section through the stem of a kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plant. The outer layer is the cuticle (brown), with a cortex of parenchyma (yellow) beneath it

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"Exploring the Intricate World of Cuticles: From Water Lily Leaves to Giant Panda Hair" Delicate and ethereal, the water lily leaf showcases its intricate cuticle structure under a light micrograph. Unveiling the evolution of beauty culture, a vintage black and white photo captures the electric manicure machine revolutionizing nail care. Nature's artistry at play: glistening water droplets delicately rest on a leaf's cuticle, creating an enchanting sight. Peering into the microscopic world, a biomedical illustration reveals the complex anatomy of a roundworm's cuticle – nature's armor for survival. Human hair takes center stage as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unravels its fascinating structural details with astonishing clarity. Not just limited to humans, SEM delves into dog hair too, unraveling its unique composition and texture in mesmerizing detail. A captivating SEM image showcases giant panda hair in all its glory – each strand revealing nature's mastery in providing insulation and protection. Gastrotrichs take their turn under SEM scrutiny, showcasing their intriguing cuticular features that aid them in aquatic habitats. Another glimpse into human hair through SEM highlights its diverse textures and patterns – truly reflecting individuality at its finest. In this captivating journey through various specimens captured by cutting-edge technology like SEM or traditional photography methods like light micrographs, we discover how different organisms possess unique yet equally fascinating cuticles - from delicate leaves to human hairs or even gastrotrichs thriving underwater. The intricacies hidden within these seemingly ordinary structures remind us of nature’s remarkable ability to adapt and protect living beings across species boundaries.