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The Pilomotor Reflex Have You Ever Experienced the Pilomotor Reflex? Chances Are That

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The Pilomotor Reflex
Have you ever experienced the pilomotor reflex? Chances are that you have. The pilomotor reflex is actually something most people experience every day: goosebumps.
Goosebumps (also called goose flesh and goose pimples) are small bumps on the skin. They are created when tiny muscles beneath the hairs on your skin contract, pulling the hair into an upright position. They can occur anywhere that you have hair on your body, but they are most common on your arms and legs. Goosebumps are an involuntary reaction to many different sensations, such as cold, fear, or even happiness.
Humans are not the only animals that get goosebumps. When cats or dogs are threatened by an enemy, the pilomotor reflex will cause their fur to stand on end. This makes the animal look larger, which might scare away the enemy. Porcupines also experience the pilomotor reflex; a frightened porcupine will raise its quills when it is in danger. This not only makes the porcupine look bigger, it frightens enemies away by drawing attention to the sharp quills. The pilomotor reflex can also help animals stay warm by trapping body heat closer to their skin.
Because human beings have much less body hair than most other animals, goosebumps do not make us seem larger or more intimidating. They also do not help to keep us very warm, although they do help to prevent some heat from leaving the body. For the most part, the pilomotor reflex is much more important for animals than it is for people. In fact, many scientists think that the pilomotor reflex is actually completely useless for humans.
Question: What is the meaning of the word contract in the second paragraph?

Definitions:

Chronological Age

The measure of a person's age based on the calendar date of birth, regardless of their maturity or developmental stage.

National Values

Fundamental beliefs, principles, and practices that are universally recognized and upheld within a specific nation, shaping its culture and identity.

Specific Genes

Particular sequences of DNA that determine distinct traits or characteristics in an organism, influencing various aspects of its biology.

Advanced Economies

Advanced economies refer to those countries that have highly developed industrial infrastructure, high standard of living, and stable and diverse economic systems often recognized by institutions like the IMF.