2007-02-09 08:45:38 · 9 answers · asked by Qwerty 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
This is caused by tiny muscles, called 'erector pili' muscles, at the base of the hairs that make the hair stand erect.
It serves a purpose in mammals with fur ... to fluff up the fur for warmth in a cold environment, and to make the animal look larger when threatened.
However, as humans have very little body hair, this has no known purpose in humans. Nevertheless, when we feel cold, or when we feel threatened, or have some surge of fear, unease, or awe, our erector pili muscles still activate ... and we get goosebumps.
Thus it is an example of a "vestigial structure" in humans ... a leftover from earlier stages of evolution.
Incidentally, geese (and other birds) don't get goosebumps. The erector pili muscles are unique to mammals.
Other trivia: The word "horror" comes from the Latin "horrore" which means "to stand on end" and refers to the hairs standing on end. (This is something I just learned.)
2007-02-09 09:11:02 · answer #1 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-05-26 03:14:24 · answer #2 · answered by Laverne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goose bumps
2016-05-24 02:30:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goose bumps are caused by the tightening of the muscle fibers in the skin that are attached to the hair follicles in the skin. This reaction is meant to help keep you warmer, by straightening the hair, and trapping a layer of warmer air next to the body. Humans don't have enough body hair to really make this effective, but it is just an evolutionary reaction.
2007-02-09 08:57:10 · answer #4 · answered by jasperj69 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Arrector pili muscles are involuntary smooth muscles controlled by the autonomic nervous system. They are attached to a hair follicle obliquely, so when they contract your hair will stand on end. And of course, you'll see goose bumps. Fear and cold are the two reasons why goosebumps occur.
2007-02-09 09:10:42 · answer #5 · answered by Niotulove 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
every hair in your body has a smooth (involuntary) muscle attached to it in the dermis layer of your skin. it is called the arrector pilli. when the nervous system tells it to, it contracts and cause the hair to stand up. this also raises some of the surrounding tissue, creating a goose-bump
2007-02-09 14:34:06 · answer #6 · answered by Bio-student Again(aka nursegirl) 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you get cold your hair follicles and pores constrict to retain body heat.
2007-02-09 09:03:21 · answer #7 · answered by Suqui 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My grandmother says its someone walking over your grave....
2007-02-09 08:49:19 · answer #8 · answered by Bevin M 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
www.google.com
2007-02-09 08:49:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋