• Question: How are fingerprints formed? Are cells involved?

    Asked by Elicabanas to Eoin, Ester, Ildiko, Natasha, Paul, Tom on 14 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Ildiko Somorjai

      Ildiko Somorjai answered on 14 Nov 2017:

      tricky question! fingerprints are patterns of epidermal (skin) ridges, so yes, made up of cells. I read that they are formed while the baby is developing in the uterus…..but other than that I don´t know much more!

    • Photo: Natasha Myhill

      Natasha Myhill answered on 14 Nov 2017:

      Yeah I am not 100% sure of the answer either. Like Ildiko says, fingerprints are formed in the uterus when a baby is developing. Its the buckling of the epidermal layer (one of the many layers of skin), which probably happens when the baby fingers come into contact with a surface while they are growing. But I think there is also a genetic component. Every person has different fingerprints, even identical twins!

Comments