Hair as Insulation
In Hair as Insulation, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explores the role that human hair plays as insulation for the skin, focusing on how hair helps regulate body temperature in response to cold. Understand the physiological mechanisms that cause goosebumps and how mammals like polar bears use their dense fur to survive in extreme cold. Through understanding these biological processes, gain insight into the relationship between hair, insulation, and body temperature regulation. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
Lesson Express
Q: What causes goosebumps to form on our skin?
A: Goosebumps are caused by the contraction of tiny muscles at the base of each hair follicle that causes the hair stand up, trapping air and providing insulation.
Q: Why are animals with dense fur, like polar bears, able to survive in colder environments?
A: Polar bears have a thick layer of fur that insulates their bodies, trapping heat and preventing heat loss. They also have a layer of fat beneath their skin that adds to the insulation.
Q: How does the ability to generate goosebumps serve as a survival mechanism for humans and other mammals?
A: Goosebumps help mammals conserve heat by creating a layer of trapped air close to the skin, which helps to keep the body warm in cold temperatures.