Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down - Grasping the Idea of Evolution

OPPOSABLE THUMBS LAB

Introduction

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.

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.

Only apes and primates have hands capable of grasping objects. The grasp is made possible by the opposable
thumb, so called because it moves opposite to the rest of the fingers. In humans, the thumb can move farther
across the hand than in any other primate. In this experiment you will compare your performance of a series
of tasks using your thumb and fingers together with your performance of the same tasks without the aid of
your thumb.

Materials and Equipment:

For the class:

Roll of duct tape or masking tape

For each pair or group of students:

 pencil and paper  coins or paper clips

 chalk and blackboard  door with doorknob
 clothing with buttons/zippers  masking tape
 shoes with laces  plastic fork
 straight back chair  deck of cards

***Remember to sanitize effectively after using the equipment***

Working with a partner, one person should perform the tasks while the other observes and records the
results. You are encouraged to discuss the results and observations as you proceed.

1. Observe your hand. Notice especially the relationship of your thumb to the rest of your fingers and the rest
of your hand. Note that your thumb can move in a number of directions and angles.

2. You or your partner must perform the following list of tasks as you normally would, using your thumb and
fingers. Pay special attention to your thumb and its involvement in these tasks. Enter your observations on the
data table, and rank difficulty of each task. Be sure to explain the level of "thumb involvement" (How
necessary is the thumb in each task?).
a. Write your name with a piece of chalk on the chalkboard.
b. Write your name with a pencil or pen on a small piece of paper.
c. Unbutton and rebutton an article of clothing that has buttons.
d. Use a zipper on an article that of clothing that has a zipper.
e. Put on a pair of shoes and tie the laces.
f. Pick up a straight-backed chair.
g. Pick up several coins or paper clips.
h. Pick up a cup (one hand).
i. Use a fork.
j. Pick up the weight (with one hand only – be careful!)
k. Play cards with another group.

NOTE: You must first try each task with ONE hand and then you may try using both!

3. Working with your partner, have one partner firmly tape the other person's thumbs to the base of the first
finger (index finger) with masking tape or duct tape. Be careful not to wrap the tape too tightly and cut off the
blood circulation to your hand!

4. Repeat the tasks listed in step two with your taped hands. Pay particular attention to the differences in your
partner’s performance for each task. Enter your observations in the data table as before. Provide detailed
explanations that support your observations.

Conclusion- discuss the results of the experiment and

whether you found any surprising results.
1. Which 2 tasks required the least thumb
involvement? (2)

2. Which 2 tasks required the most thumb

involvement? (2)

3. Does this experiment support the claim that

opposable thumbs are special and important? Explain
how the thumb makes tasks easier for us. (2)

4. This experiment should have also highlighted details

about another unique ability humans have. What am I
talking about? Explain. (2)