Final answer:
The statement is true; the hair cuticle is made up of an overlapping layer of scale-like cells that resemble shingles on a roof, providing a protective barrier for the hair.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, the hair cuticle consists of an overlapping layer of transparent scale-like cells that look much like shingles on a roof. This cuticle is the outermost layer of keratinocytes originating from the hair matrix and can be observed in a cross-section of the hair bulb. The overlapping nature of these cells functions similarly to roof shingles in that they help to shed water from the hair, thus providing a protective barrier for the inner layers of the hair shaft.