Microbe vs. Hair: See the Size Difference

How big is a single strand of hair compared to a microbe? 

Quinten Geldhof, also known as Microhobbyist, joins us to explore the surprising size difference between human hair and the tiny life forms that live in the microscopic world. A single strand of hair is typically 17 to 180 micrometers thick, but single-celled ciliates are 10 micrometers at their smallest and 4 millimeters at their largest. Using a strand of hair as a reference point helps us truly visualize the invisible. Genetics, age, and ethnicity all influence hair thickness, making it a surprisingly useful scale for understanding microbiology.