Question

Lint and fuzz are characteristics of the fibres of

• A. Flax
• B. Jute
• C. Cotton
• D. Coir

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

In commercial cotton, the hairs are of two types, lint and fuzz. Lint hairs are the cotton of commerce or the seed hairs suitable for spinning, and develop in a different way than cotton fuzz. Lint hairs are distinguishable by being convoluted or twisted. The deposit of cellulose in the cuticle is much less. When the capsule opens and the lint hairs dry, they collapse around their central hollow axis. The cellulose thickening is deposited in spirally arranged fibrillae. The spirals reverse directions at intervals so that they are present in the same hair in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. This causes the ribbon to twist, and these irregularly twisted ribbons cling together when spun into thread. This cling allows a strong thread to be produced from cotton, although the individual fibers are much shorter than those of wool or flax.

The fuzz hairs or linters are generally shorter, have a larger diameter, a smaller lumen and a much thicker cellulose deposit in the secondary wall which prevent the formation of twists, when the cell dries out at maturity. This makes the fuzz unspinnable, but it is marketable for items, such as upholstery stuffing and for the production of cellulose. Thus, option C is correct.