I often get goosebumps when I’m cold or scared, but why does this happen? What is the biological reason behind it, and what does it actually do for our bodys?
I know that when I’m cold, my body tries to keep warm, but what’s going on with the tiny muscles at the base of my hair follciles that cause those bumps to form? Is it just a response to tempurature, or is there more to it, like how emotions play a role?
Also, I’ve heard that animals can make their fur stand up when they’re scared to look bigger and more intimadating. Do humans have a similar reaction?
Are there any other situations where we might experiance goosebumps that I might not be aware of? I’d love to understand this :3
In: Biology
goosebumps are designed to raise all of the hairs on your body so they stand straight out instead of laying flat on your skin.
When humans had a lot more hair on our arms, this was a fear reaction that made us look bigger (and therefore more dangerous) when threatened. It doesnt work so well any more since our arm hairs are so short and thin.
But even with our shorter hairs, it is still useful when cold. hairs that stand streight out trap air and prevent it from moving (as much). non moving air is actually a really good insulator (which is why winter coats are so puffy), so by trapping a layer of air so that it doesnt move, we can increase its insulative value.
Both are pretty common reactions in mammals.
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