How do fingerprints develop in humans?

The development of fingerprints in humans is a fascinating process that occurs in the womb. During fetal development, specifically around the 10th to 16th week of gestation, the unique patterns that make up an individual's fingerprints begin to form. These patterns are influenced by a combination of genetic factors and random environmental conditions in the uterus. It is notable that once these fingerprints are established, they remain consistent throughout a person's life, meaning that while they might grow larger with the individual's growth, the fundamental design does not change. This stability is what makes fingerprints a reliable means of identification.

Options that suggest fingerprints develop through exposure to chemicals, are inherited from parents, or change due to environmental factors during growth do not accurately represent the biological process of fingerprint development. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes the unique formation of fingerprints that happens in utero and their permanence thereafter.