A duck’s ability to glide smoothly through the water is due to its webbed feet. Unlike those of humans, the toes of ducks are connected by webbing. This webbing acts to push water and propel the duck’s body forward. Why do humans have separated digits, while ducks’ feet do not?
The digits of our hands and toes are not built one by one, but are formed by removing the cells in between them as they develop. The elimination of cells is carried out by apoptosis (pronounced ap-o-toe-sis). The development of toes and fingers is a good example to introduce the process, but this programmed cell death has key physiological functions, with roles in cancer as well as degenerative illnesses. Although it seems counterintuitive, such cell death mechanisms keep us alive. It is more than just fingers and toes.
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