Most people have witnessed their skin wrinkle in the bathtub, but scientists still don't understand why this wrinkling response occurs. It's not the skin's innate response to water, because it occurs only in fingers, palms, and toes with functioning nerves. Some scientists think it's an adaptation that functions like treads on a tire, helping hands and feet grip wet objects. That hypothesis is supported by the fact that wrinkling occurs after approximately five minutes' contact with water. So the wrinkling response might help one grip while walking barefoot on a long, wet path. But it won’t assist during the brief moment of stepping in a puddle on a dry path.

Question

Most people have witnessed their skin wrinkle in the bathtub, but scientists still don't understand why this wrinkling response occurs. It's not the skin's innate response to water, because it occurs only in fingers, palms, and toes with functioning nerves. Some scientists think it's an adaptation that functions like treads on a tire, helping hands and feet grip wet objects. That hypothesis is supported by the fact that wrinkling occurs after approximately five minutes' contact with water. So the wrinkling response might help one grip while walking barefoot on a long, wet path. But it won’t assist during the brief moment of stepping in a puddle on a dry path.

Based on the information in the passage, predict the most likely medical application for which the natural wrinkling response in humans could be useful.
Responses

testing for nerve damage in an unresponsive patient
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helping paralyzed patients learn to grip objects again
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softening facial skin that was damaged by sun exposure

Answer 1

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testing for nerve damage in an unresponsive patient