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Why is your thumb an adaptation?

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Anonymous

12y ago
Updated: 4/17/2023

The opposeable thumb is considered one of the most useful adaptations in all of Biology. When combined with the cerebral cortex, it allowed "early man" to create tools. Ex: the famous scene from 2001 with the pre-human using a bone to smash rocks.

The specialized, precision gripping hand (equipped with opposable thumb) of Homo habilis preceded walking, with the specialized adaptation of the spine, pelvis and lower extremities proceding a more advanced hand.

The thumb, unlike other fingers, is opposable, in that it is the only digit on the human hand which is able to oppose or turn back against the other four fingers, and thus enables the hand to refine its grip to hold objects which it would be unable to do otherwise. This is referred to as "ulnar opposition" and adds unparalleled grip, grasp, and torque capability to the human hand. This feature developed after the time of Lucy, a direct human ancestor, who lived about 3.2 million years ago.

The opposable thumb has helped the human species develop more accurate fine motor skills. It is also thought to have directly led to the development of tools, not just in humans or their evolutionary ancestors, but other primates as well.
It's an opposable thumb, allowing you to grasp things.

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