© Human Origin Project
Women have two X chromosomes (homogametic sex), while men have an X and a Y (heterogametic sex). The "unguarded X hypothesis" suggests that as our chromosomes age, men don't have a backup plan when their X begins to falter, having a Y leaves that X unprotected. Alternatively, there is the "toxic Y hypothesis," where the Y acts as a bit of a rogue adversely altering gene expressions and mutations. A group of researchers considered the life-span across all the species where two genes created homogametic or heterogametic genders. Their data set included 229 species, 99 families, 38 orders and eight classes [1]
Across a wide range of species including us mammals, insects, reptiles, and ray-finned fish (fish whose fins are supported by a bony infrastructure), the homogametic gender on average lives 17.6% longer.
As it turns out, in birds, moths, and butterflies, the male is homogametic (noted as ZZ), and the female is heterogametic (ZW). Again, the homogametic gender lives longer. So it seems that the unguarded X hypothesis contains some truth.
The second finding by the researchers suggests a limit to the effect of an unguarded X.
"...that when males are heterogametic sex they die 20.9% earlier than their female counterparts, but when females are the heterogametic sex, they die only 7.1% earlier than their male counterparts."
Why might that be? The researchers suggest that those lonely Ys, and for the birds, their W genes are "more degraded" than those lusty Xs and Zs. Or that estrogen is protective of telomere length, or that the "higher mortality in males [is a] ...side effects of sexual selection" - wooing and mating takes a lot out of us. In any case, an unguarded X fails to explain everything.
While we are tossing candidate theories into the ring, might I suggest that the 13.8% higher mortality for heterogametic males than heterogametic females has to do with estrogen, testosterone, and their effect on lifestyle? Men are less risk-averse; they take more chances, and perhaps that is fueled, in part by the testosterone milieu that baths their brains. Women, and yes, I recognize the generalization, maybe a little more risk-sensitive. Women are less likely to smoke than men, less likely to be overweight (although they are more likely to be obese), men tend to drive faster and are involved in many more high-speed car accidents.
Once again, it is not a question of nature or nurture, but how much do genetics and lifestyle contribute and interact in our life-span. It seems that in reality, at least for us mammals, men are the weaker sex.[1] A refresher, the classifications are, Domain, Kingdom, Phyla, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Source: The sex with the reduced sex chromosome dies earlier: a comparison across the tree of life -
Biology Letters DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0867
Reader Comments
Not!
I don't think the historical reality of men as 'cannon fodder' applies to our mythology this way. This myths stems from hunter-gatherer and tribal society. The fact that in recorded history leaders have used the natural inclination of men to seek honor and glory, even in death, to preserve and protect Life, does not mean this 'manipulation' is the basis of mens 'lesser worth' (not the case, anyway) in our mythology.
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If women give to men what they need, and men give to women what they need, there isn't much of a problem.
Only when artificial government arises, is there much of a problem.
With the implementation of mammon, people learn to gather things unto themselves that are not theirs to gather.
This is also called speculation, and modern science is based upon it.
ned,
out
'The offspring of a snake is beloved by the snake.'
ned,
OUT
There are other categories of strength though.
Spiritually speaking, I sense the female is far stronger than most males.
Maybe there is a correlation between physicality and spirituality of gender, as if they are variable factors in the same equation.
In this way too, words can be arranged into predictable sequences to form sentences.
All is calculable, all is predicable, even the wisdom of old - regardless as to whether it was gifted (by way of inspiration) to men or women.
Morpheus - Some of the best fights I’ve seen have been women. Very intelligent fighters mostly.
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(disclaimer, I do not advocate for a holy being, because that would be too much power for one person regardless of moral etiquette. Spinoza had the right idea when referencing god. Panpsychism or Pantheism is a good start)
I think we all need to get a grip
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"Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole
Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock and roll
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself"
The Stranglers.
Off to zee music.
Here something from home
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