The goose pimples seen on human skin in the cold are produced by
Correct answer: B. contraction of the erector pili muscles, which pull the hairs upright
- A. dilation of the surface capillaries
- B. contraction of the erector pili muscles, which pull the hairs upright
- C. the emptying of the sweat glands
- D. the thickening of the subcutaneous fat layer
Explanation
Each hair has a small erector muscle that pulls it erect, and in a furry mammal this traps a thicker layer of still air as insulation. Human body hair is far too sparse for this to help, so the raised bumps are essentially a vestigial response inherited from hairier ancestors. Subcutaneous fat does insulate, but its thickness cannot change from minute to minute.
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About Thermoregulation
Thermoregulation maintains body temperature through negative feedback controlled mainly by the hypothalamus. It covers vasodilation and vasoconstriction, sweating, shivering, changes in metabolic heat production and behavioural responses, while distinguishing heat loss by radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation from temperature regulation itself.
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