Fingernails Trivia Quiz

Answer: keratin

Keratin is a structural protein. Hair is also made of keratin. It also makes up the horns and hooves of animals.

Answer: lunula

The lunula is the visible part of the matrix, the tissue the nail protects. It is most visible on the thumbs. It is also known as "the moon".

Answer: onychophagia

Nail biting can be a compulsive habit. It can cause problems with the nail and surrounding area. It can also cause problems with teeth. Bacteria transferred from nails can also be an issue.

Answer: Yes

Fingernails grow at least twice as fast a toenails. On average, fingernails grow 3 millimeters a month. An individual's growth rate depends on many factors, including age, gender, diet, and the season.

Answer: oxygen

Normally, fingernails appear pink. But, a lack of oxygen can make them turn blue or violet. Cold temperatures can also make them turn blue.

Answer: dry skin

Hangnails are small torn pieces of skin next to the nail. They can also be caused by nail biting. They are more common in cold weather.

Answer: white

The word leukonychia comes from the Greek for "white nail". It is usually caused by an injury to the nail. It can also be caused by a lack of potassium. They go away as the nail continues to grow.

Answer: False

They actually grow faster. Pregnancy can also cause brittleness in fingernails. The reason for this is the increase in hormones.

Answer: Fingernails continue to grow after death.

It is a common misconception that fingernails continue to grow after a person has died. They just appear to have grown because the skin around the nails has shrunk.

Tapping fingernails on hard surfaces can cause them to grow faster, as can typing on a keyboard. The nails on the thumbs grow the slowest and the ones on the middle fingers grow the fastest.

Answer: all of these

Fingernails can assist in picking up or gripping small items, like pulling out a splinter. Fingernails help with our sense of touch. They act as a counter-force, which helps the nerves in our finger to gain more sensory input. They can also be used to scratch things, such as an itch.