The 12 biological differences between men and women

The different species that inhabit nature reproduce in different ways. One of them is sexual reproduction..

This type of reproduction requires the existence of differentiated structures that allow such reproduction is carried out, existing in a large number of species (among them ours) two biological sexes differentiated. And in many of these both sexes present differences at the biological morphological level beyond the gonadal. It is about sexual dimorphism: each of the sexes of the same species has specific characteristics at a biological level.

The human being is one of the species in which this dimorphism is observed. Here we indicate some of the main biological differences between men and women.

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Main biological differences between men and women

Originally, all human organisms begin to develop with feminine characteristics to later either begin to become biologically masculinized due to the effect of certain hormones such as testosterone or continue such development feminized.

In some cases, this masculinization does not occur at a complete level., or occurs in part despite having a female sexual karyotype.

Regardless of the case, once the chromosomal and biological sex has been assigned the physical characteristics that will develop in the fetus will be slightly different (initially with slightly perceptible differences) and will cause them to appear in the long run increasingly visible biological differences (especially from adolescence due to changes hormonal). Here are some of the main biological differences between men and women.

1. Chromosomal differences

One of the biological differences between both sexes, which in fact causes the distinction between female and male, is found in the sex chromosomes. While the female has two X chromosomes (being XX), In males, there is an X chromosome and a Y chromosome. (XY) that will generate, among other things, a differentiated synthesis of proteins and hormones.

Likewise, this difference means that, as a general rule, men are more prone to suffering from genetic disorders linked to sex chromosomes, as the woman has two copies of the same chromosome that can cause the same problem not to reach Express oneself.

2. hormonal differences

Another of the best-known biological differences between men and women is the presence of different hormonal rhythms and the presence of different proportions of hormones depending on sex. For example, much higher levels of testosterone are found in men than in women for most of life while more estrogens are synthesized in women.

This influences and causes the presence of physical characteristics and specific physiological functioning in both sexes, visible above all at puberty and after it. Behavior is also affected, although it is also largely mediated by education.

The different hormonal rhythms also mean that puberty usually begins earlier in women than in men.

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3. Neurological and brain differences

The brain is one of the organs in which differences between both sexes can be observed. In general, the male brain can be up to eleven percent larger and have a greater proportion of white matter, while women are usually denser and have a higher proportion of gray matter.

There are areas of the brain that are more developed according to sex: in women, the corpus callosum and the splenium are usually larger, while areas such as the preoptic area of ​​the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the parietal cortex are larger in males. The suprachiasmatic nucleus also presents differences in shape in the two sexes.

Some of the brain and nerve circuits we use differ or are wired differently depending on gender, such as as it relates to sexual stimulation or pain processing. Also the level of stimulation necessary to cause a physiological reaction in response to an emotional stimulus. may differ, requiring less stimulation in women (although at the level of feeling there may not be differences).

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4. Genitals

The organs in which the greatest sexual dimorphism from the moment of birth are the genitals, presenting each sex a type of gonads and reproductive system.

5. hirsutism

The action of hormones causes a greater amount of body hair to appear in men than in women, both on the face and on the rest of the body.

6. Weight, height, and bone and muscle mass

One of the best known differences between men and women is the different muscle and bone development. Usually in our species the male tends to have a greater development in both aspects and have greater weight, height and strength.

7. fat distribution

Metabolism also presents some differences at the biological level. The action of hormones such as estrogens cause that, after eating, the woman tends to store a greater amount of body fat and makes it difficult to consume them. That is why it is more difficult for a woman to lose weight or develop muscle mass than in a man.

8. Skin and sweat glands

Women's skin tends to be thinner and drier, while men's is generally thicker. Likewise, the male has a greater number of sweat glands, so he sweats more than the female.

9. Management of blood flow and body temperature

As a general rule, blood flow and the ability to maintain body temperature also differ between men and women. While the flow of male blood through his body is relatively proportional Between the different areas, in the female there tends to be a greater flow of blood to the torso and abdomen. That is why they may have greater resistance to hypothermia, although they tend to have greater difficulty maintaining heat in distal areas of the body.

10. mouth and larynx

On average, the female sex tends to have smaller teeth than the male. Likewise, the action of androgens and testosterone during puberty usually causes the voice of men to be deep and that of women somewhat more acute. Although it exists in both sexes, it is also typical of the male that the Adam's apple is visible (although not in all cases).

11. heart and lungs

On average, these organs tend to be larger in males. This also participates in that they present greater muscular strength and resistance.

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12. sensory perception

There are also biological differences that can cause. In general, men tend to have greater visual acuity, while women have greater auditory and olfactory acuity.

As far as vision is concerned, women tend to have better color perception (there are women who have up to four types of cones) and have greater angular vision and perception in the dark regardless of whether it has less sharpness, while the man, in addition to the latter, usually captures depth and distance better. And despite having lower hearing acuity, men have an easier time locating the sound source.