Shriveled fingers???

Question

Why is it that when you are in the water for a long time, your fingers and toes shrivel? Does it have something to do with osmosis? Wouldn't it make your fingers bigger if the water is inside your skin? I don't get it.

Answer 1

part of this qyestion has already been answered

still, the proteibns present in ur epidermis get hydrated and there packing changes to accomodate more water,but this water is not allowed to move inside.tghe increased volume of skin makes it shriveled

Answer 2

To add to the answer below, the direction of water movement (in a tub) has to be from the tub water into your skin -- we're "saltier" than tap water, so the gradient is for water to attempt to enter, and salts to exit.

From: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bi...

"Question:  We have been talking about osmosis recently, and I'm sure this is connected, but I haven't been able to figure out the mechanism.  Why does your skin shrivel in the bathtub?

Timothy T Lenczycki

Answer:  It's the other way around.  The outer dead layer of your skin absorbs water in the tub and swells.  Like clothes that are too big for you, it is then too big for the finger it covers, and folds into wrinkles. You'll note that the skin also becomes softer and more pliable, also indicating that it has absorbed water.

Christopher Grayce"