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by Teuila Afele on November 26th, 2004

Teuila Afele

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Why do we have 10 toes and fingers? Why not 11?

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  • by mister_c on December 5th, 2004

    mister_c

    This is the way evolution is thought to work: a mutation occurs in one generation of a species. If the mutation proves beneficial to the organism then it is carried over into the next generation. If not then it tends to disappear. Clearly there has never been a point in our evolutionary history where not having 10 fingers and toes provided enough of a benefit to carry on into the next generation.

    Some individuals are born with extra digits, though, both on their hands and feet. These tend to not be fully formed and functional.

    For proper balance it's important that we have an equal number of toes on each foot and if we did not have an equal number of fingers it would reduce functionality in one hand over the other.

    Also nature loves symmetry. All creatures with limbs and digits have an equal number of each. Insects always have 6 legs and spiders always have 8 - all even numbers.

    Incidentally, the reason our number systems are based on the number ten is thought to be because we have 10 fingers. If we had 11, our counting systems could be based on that number instead.

    Comments

    • good explanation

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on January 27th, 2006

    • Evolution is a falsehood. Hence, your answer is not entirely accurate.

      Answers101

      by Answers101 on March 16th, 2006

    • Evolution is not a falsehood. His explaination is correct. I assume you a biblical literalist. Evolution is a good explaination to how got to our present shape. The bible says "god did it". Not a very helpful scientific answer.
      Evolution as a theory has evolved with new information, not failed but improved with each modification. The original theory as stated is still usefull, but it has been improved and changed tremendously. Darwin was ignorant of many of the scientific advances that have been made since he proposed his theory. The bible still has the cosmological knowledge of 2-3000 years ago and has not improved. Of course the bible is fiction anwyay.

      james the first

      by james the first on March 8th, 2008

    • Always keep in mind, evolution is a scientific theory not a scientific law. Most Christians, will have a different explanation for this. (I am not a Christian, and I believe in evolution, well atleast it sounds more believable and makes more sense than what Christians believe in.)

      Pontiac25

      by Pontiac25 on October 3rd, 2009

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