I mean why 5, why 5 on each limb, why not 4 or 6. Why do our feet also have 5. Whats with our body being so symmetrical.

People who know anything about evolution, now is your time to shine.

    • SnokenKeekaGuard@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
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      1 year ago

      Well in summary, while scientists have unlocked the mechanism, the question of why humans typically have five fingers and toes remains unanswered. Evolution has stuck with this number, despite the possibility of having more digits, suggesting a complex interplay of genetic and developmental factors that science has yet to fully understand.

      Thats cool!

      • roguetrick@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        Bone formation is extremely complex. Nearly all large mammals have the same exact bones in different sizes. Dogs, cats, and even bats (their wings) all have four fingers and a thumb.

    • protist@mander.xyz
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      1 year ago

      the common ancestor of all mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians had five, and we have stuck with that number

      This is basically the only reason. Evolution can only work on what existed before, and we evolved from an organism with 5 digits.

      Here’s a better article too