How to learn to make a flower out of tongue. How the dominant gene works or why not everyone can roll their tongue into a tube. How long can a person hold their breath

Biology teachers at school teach us that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is determined by the dominant gene. Some people can do it, and some people are not, by definition. The textbooks tell us the same. Is it so? The question, of course, is strange, but it began to interest me since, after school lesson my friend, who cannot roll her tongue into a tube, began to learn how to do it. And learned!

Of course, if a person I know has learned to do this, I believe my eyes, not the words of the teacher. But still I wanted a scientific explanation, or rather, a refutation of this "genetic" theory.

And finally, I stumbled upon, in which there is a summary of information on this topic with links to researchers. I present this information to your attention.

So let's start with help:

the percentage of people who can roll their tongues varies from 65 to 81;
there are people who can only slightly roll the tip of the tongue, and they cannot be classified as able or not able to roll the tongue into a tube;
some people, especially in childhood, cannot roll their tongue into a tube when they are first asked to do so, but later learn to do it;
studies have shown that the percentage of "tongue-rolling" among Japanese schoolchildren increases from 54% at the age of 6-7 to 76% at the age of 12, which suggests that more than 20% of the population learns to roll the tongue into a tube at this age.

The fact that people manage to roll their tongues after failing to do so the first time is proof that this ability is not purely genetic. But nevertheless, let's move on.

The American geneticist Sturtevant in 1940, comparing parents and their offspring, obtained interesting results. Just to start, let's introduce conventions. Let the "C" people roll their tongues, but the "H" people don't.

Sturtevant confirmed that this ability is only partially dependent on genetics. In this case, the "C" gene (conditionally designated as such by me) dominates over the "H" gene.

Geneticist Komai in 1951 conducted a similar study, but with significantly big amount"subjects", while obtaining similar results:

Both studies have shown that people whose parents can roll their tongues into a tube have a greatly increased likelihood of having this ability, compared to those whose parents do not speak the language so well :) It turns out that there is, of course, a genetic influence. However, this is just an influence. If the dependence were purely genetic, then (under the conditions of the dominance of the C-gene over the H-gene) a child with this wonderful ability could not be born to parents who cannot roll their tongues into a tube. But as we see, they are born, and it is even difficult to call them unique, these are not rare exceptions. So not everything is so simple with this myth.

It becomes especially difficult when one more study is noted. In 1952, a man named Matlock discovered that out of 33 pairs of identical twins, 7 pairs consisted of one "C" and one "H" twin. Further study of twins under the guidance of other scientists gave similar results.

So, Scientific research prove to us that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is not determined by genes, although it partially (!) Depends on them. And it was already known then, fifty years ago. And now, tell me, HOW? How, knowing all this - knowing that even among identical twins there are such discrepancies - can one argue, and even more so, teach children at school that all this is pure genetics? You involuntarily wonder what else they could have taught us at school ...

Claudia Hammond BBC Future

Image copyright iStock

For a long time it was believed that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is a great example of how genes work, passing this ability from parents to children. However, as the correspondent found out, everything is not so simple.

Stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth and try to build from own language if not a tube, then at least the letter U.

If you succeed, then you are one of those who can proudly call themselves a "tongue-folder". From 65 to 81% of all people are able to do this, and there are more women among them than men.

Either you inherited from your parents the gene necessary for folding the tongue into a tube, or not. And if you do not have such a gene - alas, you will never be able to do it.

Useless skill, I agree, and yet in my time I spent many minutes practicing - so that my classmates would not think that I was not the mistress of my language.

To my surprise, I finally succeeded! And this puzzled me - after all, genetically inherited skills, it seems, should not be acquired in this way, through training.

The explanation that I was able to do this is simple: the notion that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is passed down through the genes is a myth. And yet, to this day, you can find this example in biology textbooks.

Image copyright iStock Image caption In childhood, the inability to roll the tongue into a tube can be frustrating

In 1940, the prominent American geneticist Alfred Sturtevant suggested that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is the so-called Mendelian inheritance, in which you do not get a mixture of genes from both parents, but certain genes from one of them.

Eye color, skin tone, freckles seem to be transmitted in this way (although we now know that this can be affected by different variants other genes).

Sturtevant noted that some of the children refused to open their mouths and show if they could roll their tongues. The scientist suggested that they could not. Of those who agreed, four could do it, despite the fact that neither father nor mother had such a gift.

Nevertheless, Sturtevant concluded that language folding was determined, at least in part, by a specific gene.

If this were true, then genetically identical twins should either both be able to roll their tongues into a tube, or none of them should be able to do it.

However, in a study of 33 twins in the 1950s : one of the brothers knew how, and the other did not.

Image copyright iStock Image caption For some reason, there are more women who can do this

To Alfred Sturtevant's credit, when he found out about these results, he later wrote in his book that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is not a Mendelian inheritance after all, and that he is very uncomfortable when he sees references to it in this question.

That did not stop those who continued to include this myth in school textbooks.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that some people cannot be classified as either "folders" or "non-folders": they can slightly raise the edges of the tongue, but they are not able to roll it up to the end or depict the letter U.

It is the futility of this skill that makes its study so interesting for geneticists.

Of course, you can say that this skill is absolutely useless and will not be useful in life. But it is precisely this uselessness that makes its study so interesting for geneticists.

This is not something that people (at least the vast majority of people) will strive to train, and not something that causes heated debate in society.

Thus, the study of this phenomenon does not affect society, the environment, etc. in any way. - just as the environment does not affect these studies in any way.

And what have we come to as a result of decades of studying the issue? What do we know?

Probably, there is a certain genetic element in this, but it is not as unambiguous as it was thought. Most likely, more than one gene is involved in the formation of this ability, but many, or different combinations of them.

Image copyright iStock Image caption Unable to roll your tongue into a tube? Don't be discouraged - regular exercise will likely help.

And, apparently, I'm not the only one who has achieved success through training. When John Macdonald Faculty of Biology The University of Delaware (USA) asked 33 students who cannot roll their tongue into a tube to practice this daily, after a month one of them began to succeed.

I agree, the number is not impressive. But, perhaps, it turned out for those whom scientists do not know about. And if you are one of those people, I would be interested to know about your experience.

Claudia Hammond on Twitter - @claudiahammond

Legal information. This article contains only general information and should not be considered as a substitute for the advice of a physician or other healthcare professional. The BBC is not responsible for any diagnosis made by a reader based on material on the site. The BBC is not responsible for the content of other sites linked to this page and does not endorse commercial products or services listed on those sites. If you are concerned about your health, see your doctor.

The human body is designed in such a way that some tricks cannot be done.
Although many believe that they can create any chip with own body.
Now you will see some examples, if you want, try to repeat.
But nothing is impossible, even this can be learned.
1. Raise one eyebrow. How to learn to raise one eyebrow?

The ability to raise eyebrows is an evolutionary trait. Baboons, mandrills and capuchins raise their eyebrows as a gesture of threat.
Although most people cannot raise one eyebrow, it can be learned.

Start by holding one eyebrow down with one hand and lift the other with your other hand.

Keep practicing this position in front of the mirror to get an idea of what muscle movements are involved in raising the eyebrow.

Once you are familiar with the "mechanism", try to do it without the help of hands.

Practice in front of a mirror until you succeed. Good luck!

Lick your elbow

It is known that 99 percent of people cannot lick their own elbow, and 90 percent of people who have been told this immediately try to do so.
For some people, this task is quite feasible, and every day about 5 people try to apply for the Guinness Book of Records for the ability to lick their own elbow.
Wiggle your ears. How to wiggle your ears?

Not many people in the world are able to move their ears, and scientists have figured out why. Unlike the facial muscles, the ear muscles have their own accessory nerve in the brainstem. Compared to animals, especially cats and bats, this proportion is very small in humans.
If you don't know how to wiggle your ears, here are a few tips to help you achieve this:
- To learn how to move your ears, you need to find the muscles that move them.
- Smile broadly and see your ears pop up a little. You can also squeeze your molars (molars) to feel the muscles.
- Repeat these movements several times to develop the muscles that move the ears.

Reach the tongue to the tip of the nose or chin

The ability to touch the tip of the nose or chin with the tongue is a genetic trait. About 10 percent of people can perform this action, and 5 times more people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes joint hypermobility.
If you are one of the few who can pull off this trick, you can practice:
- Extend the tongue in a straight line in front of you, as if "putting a dot" with the tip of the tongue.
- Pull your upper lip down over your top row of teeth.
- Helping yourself with your lower lip, roll your tongue over your upper lip to reach your nose.
Remember that not everyone will be able to do this.

Pipe tongue and other tongue tricks

Previously, it was believed that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is genetic and is determined by the presence of a dominant gene. Rolling the tongue into a tube was often a kind of test showing the presence of dominant and recessive genes in a class. However, subsequent studies on twins have shown that both genetics and environment influence this ability.
Here are some more language tricks that most people won't be able to do.

Sneeze with open eyes

We cannot sneeze with our eyes open, because the sneeze center in the brain sends coordinated motor impulses to the nerves that control the muscles of the abs, chest, diaphragm, neck, face, eyelids, and various sphincters, all of which happen automatically.
If you keep your eyes open while sneezing, can they pop out of their sockets? The hosts from the TV show MythBusters tried it.

Tickle yourself

Almost all of us have places that are sensitive to tickling, and loved ones know how to take advantage of this.
However, a person cannot tickle himself, and this is scientific explanation. The fact is that the cerebellum, which is responsible for this reaction, anticipates our own movements and cancels the response of other areas of the brain to self-tickle.

Finger Trick: "Paralyzed Finger"

Perform the following experiment: bend your middle finger as shown in the picture and place your hand on the table. Now try to raise your thumb, index and little fingers. Now try to raise your ring finger. Did not work out?
The fact is that the tendons of your fingers are independent of each other, with the exception of those that are in the middle and ring fingers. These tendons are connected and therefore, when the middle finger is bent, you cannot move the ring finger. There is a feeling that the ring finger is paralyzed.

Foot trick: draw the number 6 by moving the foot clockwise

Can you do several things at the same time? Try the following experiment. Sitting on a chair, lift your right leg and draw circles with your foot in a clockwise direction. As you do this, draw the number 6 with your right hand. You will see that your leg has changed direction.
Try also twisting your right foot counterclockwise while drawing the number 8 with your right hand.
Another trick: twist the index fingers of both hands clockwise at the same time. Do it slowly at first, and then increase the speed. Do the task as quickly as possible, and soon both of your fingers will be moving in opposite directions.

Suffocate by holding your breath. How long can a person hold their breath?

It is physically impossible to commit suicide by holding your breath.
After all, we have a reflex by which stagnant gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen are pushed out with light, deep exhalations. Even if you force yourself to overcome this reflex, you can faint due to lack of oxygen in your brain. After you faint, your mouth will open and your lungs will start working again.
In general, a person is able to hold his breath twice as long under water than on land, holding his nose and mouth (the record is 10 minutes). On average, a person can hold their breath for 30 seconds - 2 minutes underwater. The underwater breath holding record held by freediver Stig Severinsen is 22 minutes.

Most people can roll their tongue into a tube. This ability is due to both genetic reasons and environment. If you are in the minority and cannot roll your tongue into a tube, you may not be able to do it despite persistent efforts. Although there is no guarantee that you will succeed, it is still worth trying - it is possible that you will be able to do something that has not been done before!

Steps

Curling the tongue into a tube

Press the tongue against the lower palate. In other words, place it at the bottom of your mouth. This way you will provide free space above the tongue, necessary for further actions - you will need it at the training stage. In fact, that's all you need. The lower teeth and palate will create a surface that will help roll the tongue into a tube.

Straighten your tongue, placing it on the lower palate. Try to press your tongue against all three sides of your mouth at the same time, ignoring the back of your tongue. Stretch your tongue by pressing it against the sides. At the same time, you will feel how the tongue is pressed against the bases of the lower teeth.

Wrap the edges of the tongue separately. Try to alternately bend the left and right edges of the tongue up. At the same time, keep the middle of the tongue pressed against the lower palate. Straining first one, then the other side of the mouth, lift the corresponding edge of the tongue. For example, while tightening the left edge, still press the right edge of the tongue against the lower teeth on the right side. Try to touch the raised part of the tongue to the upper palate. After that, do the same with the second edge of the tongue.

Wrap the edges of the tongue at the same time. By learning how to bend the edges of the tongue individually, you will increase its flexibility. Pressing the center of the tongue to the lower palate, lift first one, then the second edge. As a result, the center of the tongue will remain pressed against the palate, and its curved edges will touch the upper palate. If you look in the mirror, you will see that your tongue begins to curl up into a tube.

If, after looking in the mirror, you find that the center of the tongue is twisted and lagged behind the lower palate, practice a little more, pressing it against the lower palate and alternately bending the edges up. At the same time, the muscles of the central part of the tongue are tensed, which bend its edges. These same muscles should press the center of the tongue to the lower palate.

Keeping the shape of the tongue, slide it out of the mouth. When you open your mouth, you will see in the mirror that your tongue is shaped like a pie. While sticking it out of your mouth, continue to strain the muscles of the tongue, keeping its edges in an elevated position. Press the back of your tongue against your lower front teeth. When the tongue comes out of the mouth, hold it with your lips, keeping a rounded shape.
- When sticking your tongue out, you can use an object to wrap your tongue around it, such as a drinking straw, to help you keep the shape of your tongue. At the same time, press the edges of the tongue to the sides of the straw. If you feel the center of the tongue begin to push the straw upward away from the edges of the tongue, return it to its original position and restore the rounded shape. Repeat the exercise until you can do without a straw.
Rolling the tongue into a double leaf clover
1. Straighten your tongue along the lower palate. Try to touch the front of the tongue and its sides to the lower teeth, ignoring the base of the tongue. Tighten your tongue while continuing to press it against the lower palate. You will feel how the edges of the tongue rest against the base of the lower teeth. While doing this, try to keep it as flat as possible.
  
  Roll your tongue into a tube in your mouth. If you are unable to do this, practice the previous step first. You need to learn how to roll your tongue into a tube and easily hold it in that position. You should hold the rolled tongue without the help of the lips, otherwise you will not be able to roll it into a two-leaf clover.
  
  Press the tip of your tongue against the base of your two upper front teeth. The goal is to learn how to move the tip of the tongue, regardless of its lateral edges and middle. First, try to touch the tip of your tongue to the base of your front upper teeth. At the same time, keep the edges of the tongue curled up. To maintain the shape of the tongue, you may need to press its edges against the upper palate.
  - Touch the tip of your tongue to the base of your upper front teeth. If any other part of the tongue touches the front or other teeth, pull it back a little. At the same time, continue to press the tip of the tongue to the front teeth. This exercise will help you distinguish between the muscles of your tongue (anterior middle and lateral muscles).
2. Lick the back of your two upper front teeth. Do this with the very tip of your tongue. The sides of the tongue should remain motionless. Make sure they don't drop. If you can't keep them up, try again. You will succeed when you can bend the tip of your tongue inward.
  - This is the most difficult stage, requiring the longest workouts. But if you are determined to succeed, repeat the exercise again and again and you will succeed.
  - If you're having trouble at this stage, try flexing the front of your tongue upwards, not just the tip. This is not easy to do. If you feel that along with the front of the tongue, its sides are moving, try to repeat the exercise more slowly. These sides must be relaxed, otherwise they will be drawn into the depths of the mouth.
3. Practice holding the front of your tongue in a curved position without the help of your teeth. At the same time, so that the sides of the tongue remain motionless, you can rest them against the lower teeth. Curving the tip of the tongue, first help yourself with your front teeth. Then practice sticking your tongue out of your mouth while maintaining its shape. With enough practice, you can roll your tongue into a double-leaf clover shape without the aid of your teeth.
Rolling the tongue into a three-leaf clover
1. Curl your tongue into a tube and, stretching it out, bring it to your finger. Don't help yourself with your lips by holding the shape of your tongue. Bring your finger closer to your tongue without putting it in your mouth. When practicing the trick, you will need free space to move your tongue back and forth.
  - One of the possible ways is to roll the tongue into a tube and stick it out of the mouth, bringing it to the finger. After that, pointing your finger up, get it under the tongue. The fingernail should be under the tip of the tongue. Pulling your tongue back, extend your finger vertically upwards. Do this by choosing a comfortable position for your finger.
2. Hold the tip and sides of the tongue so that its edges on the left and right sides of the finger curl inward. When folding the tongue into a two-leaf clover, the muscles of these areas remain relaxed. They shouldn't be stressed. At the same time, the tip of the tongue, folded into a tube, will bend upwards, as if forming a separate, third sheet. This is the most difficult stage, and some training will be required to work it out.
  - If you haven’t mastered folding your tongue into a two-leaf clover before, work it out first. To roll your tongue into a three-leaf clover, you need a lot of O Greater agility and flexibility. By mastering the double-leaf clover method, you will learn to control the tip of the tongue, regardless of its sides. You will need this skill in this method.
3. Practice until you can do without a finger. As you practice, you will need less and less of your finger to hold the tip of your tongue. Eventually, you will be able to roll your tongue without using your finger. Each time you roll your tongue into the correct position, lift your finger away from it. After certain training, you will be able to hold the shape of the tongue without a finger.
  - Take breaks during workouts. Otherwise, the muscles of the tongue, unaccustomed to such loads, may get tired, which will make further training difficult for a while and slow down your progress.

Incredible Facts

There are things that we believe almost anyone can do. But if you're like the majority of people in the world, then no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to do it.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, as will be demonstrated in some cases.

But our body is designed in such a way that some tricks are almost impossible.

1. Raise one eyebrow. How to learn to raise one eyebrow?

The ability to raise eyebrows is an evolutionary trait. Baboons, mandrills and capuchins raise their eyebrows as a gesture of threat.

While most people can't raise one eyebrow, it can be learned.

Start by holding one eyebrow down with one hand and lift the other with your other hand.

Keep practicing this position in front of the mirror to get an idea of what muscle movements are involved in raising the eyebrow.

Once you are familiar with the "mechanism", try to do it without the help of hands.

Practice in front of a mirror until you succeed. Good luck!

It is known that 99 percent of people cannot lick their own elbow., and 90 percent of people who are told about it immediately try to do it.

For some people, this task is quite feasible, and every day about 5 people try to apply for the Guinness Book of Records for the ability to lick their own elbow.

3. Move your ears. How to wiggle your ears?

If you don't know how to wiggle your ears, here are some tips to help you achieve this:

To learn how to move your ears, you need to find the muscles that move them.

Smile broadly and see your ears pop up a little. You can also squeeze your molars (molars) to feel the muscles.

Repeat these movements several times to develop the muscles that move the ears.

4. Reach out with your tongue to the tip of your nose or chin

The ability to touch the tip of the nose or chin with the tongue is a genetic trait. About 10 percent of people can perform this action, and 5 times more people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes joint hypermobility.

If you are one of the few who can pull off this trick, you can practice:

Stretch your tongue in a straight line in front of you, as if "putting a dot" with the tip of your tongue.

Pull your upper lip down over your top row of teeth.

Helping yourself with your lower lip, curl your tongue over your upper lip to reach your nose.

Remember that not everyone will be able to do this.

5. Tongue with a straw and other tongue tricks

Previously it was thought that the ability to roll the tongue into a tube is genetic and is determined by the presence of a dominant gene. Rolling the tongue into a tube was often a kind of test showing the presence of dominant and recessive genes in a class. However, subsequent studies on twins have shown that both genetics and environment influence this ability.

Here are a few more tongue tricks which most people will not be able to do.

6. Sneeze with your eyes open

We cannot sneeze with our eyes open because the sneeze center in the brain sends coordinated motor impulses to nerves, which controls the muscles of the press, chest, diaphragm, neck, face, eyelids and various sphincters, and all this happens automatically.

If you keep your eyes open while sneezing, can they pop out of their sockets? The hosts from the TV show MythBusters tried it.

7. Tickle yourself

Almost all of us have places that are sensitive to tickling, and loved ones know how to take advantage of this.

However, a person cannot tickle himself and there is a scientific explanation for this. The fact is that the cerebellum responsible for this response anticipates our own movements and cancels the response of other areas of the brain to self-tickle.

8 Finger Trick: "Paralyzed Finger"

Perform the following experiment: bend your middle finger as shown in the picture and place your hand on the table. Now try to raise your thumb, index and little fingers. And now try to raise your ring finger. Did not work out?

The fact is that the tendons of your fingers are independent of each other, with the exception of those that are in the middle and ring fingers. These tendons are connected and therefore, when the middle finger is bent, you cannot move the ring finger. There is a feeling that the ring finger is paralyzed.

9. Foot trick: draw the number 6 by moving the foot clockwise

Can you do several things at the same time? Try the following experiment. Sitting on a chair lift your right leg and draw circles with your foot in a clockwise direction. While you're doing it draw the number 6 with your right hand. You will see that your leg has changed direction.

Try also twisting your right foot counterclockwise while drawing the number 8 with your right hand.

Another trick: simultaneously twist the index fingers of both hands clockwise. Do it slowly at first, and then increase the speed. Do the task as quickly as possible, and soon both of your fingers will be moving in opposite directions.

10. Suffocate by holding your breath. How long can a person hold their breath?

It is physically impossible to commit suicide by holding your breath.

After all, we have a reflex that allows stagnant gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen to expelled with light deep exhalation. Even if you force yourself to overcome this reflex, you can faint due to lack of oxygen in your brain. After you faint, your mouth will open and your lungs will start working again.

In general, a person is able to hold his breath twice as long under water than on land, holding his nose and mouth (the record is 10 minutes). On average, a person can hold their breath for 30 seconds - 2 minutes underwater. The underwater breath holding record held by freediver Stig Severinsen is 22 minutes.