Biology
Exploring "Why" questions about Biology
483 articles
Why aren’t the vast majority of animals hermaphrodites? Wouldn’t that be exponentially more useful, biologically?
A couple things to note: 1. Evolution doesn't allow organisms to pick and choose what the "best" option is. Regardless of whether or not a "more useful" option exists, evolution just works with what i
Why is seeing others having sex arousing? Is there some sort of evolutionary basis behind it? (NSFW)
Yes. Group sex does different things for each gender. Group sex for males means they have a chance to pass their genes along when they otherwise wouldn't.
Why “real” property (ex: site-built housing, land) generally builds in value and personal property (ex: vehicles, manufactured housing) lose value over time compared to initial purchase.
The biggest factor is land. For example, in my neighborhood, even a ramshackle house that will just be torn down after its sale still goes for $350k. Land is a finite resource and as areas are built u
Why Would We Lose Tails in Evolution? They Seem Like They’d be Advantageous in Numerous Ways
Sometimes enough mutations occur such that something happens in the population. Doesn't have to be meaningful; evolution does not "think". Same as why you still have an appendix even though you don't
Why do schools adopt a zero-tolerance policy and what do these policies generally dictate?
Zero tolerance policies are there for the convenience of dishing out discipline & avoiding complaints about unequal punishment being dealt out. For example, a zero tolerance policy about fighting
Why is it that only proteins, carbohydrates and fats are deemed to have caloric value?
As opposed to...what? Do you have any particularly reasoning why this shouldn't or isn't the case? Protein, fats, and carbs are the sources of food energy that our body can utilize.
why people make viruses?
For a lot of them, to make money. For example, many kinds of viruses load a screen as soon as you boot up that says something to the end of "You did something bad...your computer is locked....pay fine
Why does the United States government (and the international community in general) seem to care more about ISIS than what’s going on in Mexico?
The issue isn't the brutality, but what poses more danger to the United States and its interests. Because of the instability of the Middle East region and the potential impact that instability could h
Why do humans have to have water much more regularly than other mammals or other organisms?
Mainly because humans don't eat like most other animals. The stuff animals eat usually has water in it. It could be blood from flesh or juices contained in leafs or fruit.
Why are there more people of Hispanic descent in the USA than African descent, but the latter seem to be so much more represented in general?
A) you could name more than 5 Hispanic Americans B) many Hispanic Americans don't look Hispanic - ie luis ck