Finger Prints

Synopsis

Claudia Hammond examines our fingers which provide often overlooked clues to our genetic inheritance, our cultural provenance and our psychological state. Each programme covers one digit - examining its function and probing cutting edge research into its significance - and delivers a handful of cultural resonance and salient science.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2005

Year of production

2003

Notes

Broadcast in 5 weekly parts on Radio 4 on 18/3/2003 and 20/1/2004

Subjects

Biology; Psychology

Keywords

fingers; genetics; physiology - human

Online availability

URI

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/fingerprints.shtml

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed

Sections

Title

Thumb, The

Synopsis

Evolution has left humans and other primates with long, flexible fingers and opposable thumbs (the thumb can be placed opposite any of the other fingers) which enable us to grasp objects. Without the thumb we could not have made tools or developed the society we have. But now, in the age of texting and Gameboys, its mobility among the younger generation has been proved to have increased exponentially.

Duration

15 mins

Title

Forefinger, The

Synopsis

Pointing with the forefinger is a means of communication we use from infancy; it’s used as a diagnostic test for autism - autistic children rarely point. So why, if kidnapped and held to ransom, would a hand surgeon elect to have the forefinger cut off before any other?

Duration

15 mins

Title

Middle Finger, The

Synopsis

The middle finger is the hidden ingredient that puts the spin into spin-bowling. And it’s the means of conveying what’s probably the most obscene gesture of all. The programme also looks at the information fingers can supply - whether from their prints, or the clues that nails divulge as to the state of the liver and heart.

Duration

15 mins

Title

Ring Finger, The

Synopsis

The ring finger - the weakest link? It’s important on your wedding day, but it lacks the independent movement of the other digits. Yet research reveals that its length, comparative to that of your index finger, can provide vital information about your fertility and your athletic ability, the likelihood of heart disease and breast cancer, as well as verbal fluency, visuo-spatial ability, and the probability of autism and dyslexia.

Duration

15 mins

Title

Little Finger, The

Synopsis

The little finger - Whether you crook it or not gives the game away in the tea-drinking stakes. But without five fingers our counting systems would have developed very differently. And pianists would be in trouble when it comes to spanning the notes.

Duration

15 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Radio 4

Web

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 External site opens in new window