• Question: why does it hurt us when we fall over or break a bone?

    Asked by to Edward, Ian, Mathew, Naomi, sakshisharda on 19 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Naomi Osborne

      Naomi Osborne answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      Hi Selby1,

      We have lots of protein molecules in our nerve cells (pain sensors) that switch on when we burn ourselves, fall over or cut our skin. This then sends a signal to our brains which gives us the feeling of pain – this is so we stop what we’re doing so that we don’t harm our bodies any more.

      In rare cases, people can be born without these pain sensors and can get seriously hurt – babies can chew off their tongues or lose fingers because they don’t feel pain.

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