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Thermoregulation - Hairs

Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 14.4.9

Thermoregulation - Body Hairs

Each hair on the body is controlled by a hair erector muscle.

Too hot

Too hot

  • When we are too hot, the hair erector muscle relaxes. This causes the hair to lie flat.
Too cold

Too cold

  • When we are too cold, the hair erector muscle contracts. This causes the hair to stand on end (which pulls on the skin giving you goosebumps).
  • When all the hairs are standing on end, they trap an insulating layer of air around the body.

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