Editors of TIME For Kids Magazine - X-WHY-Z: Kids Ask. We Answer

Contents The human body is an amazing machine. It works hard to keep you safe and healthy. Give your body a big hand! Why are my hands so amazing? Open the refrigerator door, grab an orange, and peel it. Now try that without hands! Our hands are such useful tools. Imagine how hard life would be without them. Why does my leg fall asleep? Your body has many nerves.

Nerves are like wires that send messages to your brain. If you sit the wrong way, a nerve gets pinched and the message cant get through. Then you cant feel your leg. When you move again, your leg tingles! Hamsters dont blink. They wink, one eye at a time. Why do I hiccup? There is a muscle near your lungs that helps you breathe.

When that muscle vibrates, it pushes air out with a pop. Hiccup! Why do I blink my eyes? When you blink your eyes, you clean them. Blinking also keeps your eyes wet. Eyes dont feel good when they are dry. Most people blink every four seconds! Why do I have fingernails? Nails protect the tips of your fingers and toes. In Britain, goosebumps are called chicken skin. In Britain, goosebumps are called chicken skin.

Why do I get goosebumps? Goosebumps help your skin keep warm. Your hair stands up to protect your skin from cold air. Each tiny hair makes one bump. Why do I have eyebrows? Eyebrows protect your eyes from sweat and rain. They help stop water from rolling into your eyes. Eyebrows help keep the sun out, too.

Why do I feel sick to my stomach? Your body wants to get rid of germs, bad food, and other nasty stuff. Thats why when youre not feeling well, you may vomit. A fast or bumpy ride can also shake up food, and make you throw up. Why do I have boogers? Boogers are dried mucus ( myoo -kus). Mucus is sticky stuff in your nose that catches dirt, dust, and germs before you can breathe them into your lungs. If you think boogers are bad, think about what they keep out of your lungs! Why do Cuts bleed? Blood travels in thin tubes called vessels.

When skin gets cut, blood vessels usually break open and blood comes out. If you cover the cut, the vessel will close again. If a blood vessel breaks but your skin doesnt, thats called a bruise. It gets purple because you are bleeding under your skin. Why does hair turn white? The real color of hair is white! When you are young, your hair has pigment in it. This pigment gives your hair its color.

When you get older, the pigment stops working.Thats when hair starts to turn white. Why do my teeth fall out? Kids lose baby teeth to make room for adult teeth. All 20 of your baby teeth will fall out. New, larger teeth will grow in. If you take care of them, you may be able to keep those adult teeth forever! Why do I have a belly button? Before you were born, you got your food and oxygen through an umbilical (um- bill -uh-kul) cord. The cord attached you to your mother.

Your belly button is where the cord used to be. Ear wax works like tears. Without wax, our ears would be dry and itchy. Its not grossits good! Why do I yawn? Experts say that when you are tired, you breathe more slowly. When that happens, your body does not get enough air. The yawn is a big gulp of air.

Why does my heart pound when Im scared? When you are scared, your heart pumps blood harder. This gives you the energy you need to run away from danger. When you calm down, so does your heart. Why do I cry when Im sad?