This Week's Experiment - #326 Thumb Fun

some tape

Unless you injure your thumb, you tend to take it for granted. We are going to take a look at how very special and important your thumbs are. What makes them so special? Your thumbs are different from those of most animals. You have opposable thumbs. What does that mean? It means that your thumb can press directly against your other fingers, fingerprint against fingerprint.

Try pressing the end of your first finger against your thumb. Then try doing the same thing with your first finger and your second finger. Doesn't work the same, does it? You can press them together side to side, but not like you did with your thumb.

Let's see how important this really is. Below is a list of activities for you to try. They are all ordinary, everyday type things that are easy to do.

Untie your shoe, and take it off. Put your shoe back on, and tie it. Write your name and address on a piece of paper. Put a scoop of ice cream into a bowl and then eat it with a spoon. Pick up 5 coins off the floor.

OK, all of that was easy. Now lets try it without your thumbs. To do that, get someone to use some tape to attach your thumbs to your first fingers. Just a little tape around the top of your thumb and the base of your first finger should do the trick. Now, try going through the activities again.

Not as easy this time, was it. Without an opposable thumb, it is hard to hold and manipulate small objects. You can't get a good grip on things. For such a simple part of your body, thumbs sure are useful.

Have a wonderful week.

These experiments are from Robert Krampf - The Happy Scientist

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