Recently smashed my finger and lost the nail and it got me wondering what is the biological / mechanical / etc function / reason for fingernails? Sure it would be harder to grip little things, but is there a structural reason why our digits need these things?
EDIT: Follow up question. What is different about the skin underneath your nail that makes it so painful when initially exposed to air?
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Think about when you stub your toe on something. The toenail is like a little plate of armor protecting your soft toe right where it impacts. Your fingernail offers similar protection to your finger (as you recently experienced), and is also a useful tool for prying, peeling, scratching, and pinching/gripping tiny objects.
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