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A&P question
Started by CalculusCrazed
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inb4lock
In science 'why' is never the relevant question, since it presupposes some sort of intelligent design (which inevitably elicits a flame war) thus we scientists stick to the other 4 w's. 🙂
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The "why" can be answered quite easily by saying that it was somehow advantageous to our ancestors; thus, it has been selected for.
But people undoubtedly want to know why it was selected for in the first place
"Why" is fine, if by "why" one means "are there any advantages to this arrangement."
As an engineer, I always ask "why."
Because it was somehow advantageous. 😀
Perhaps. One might argue, though, that the millions of other organisms that populate the Earth have vastly differing vascular setups (if any) and prosper in spite of that, so it might not be critical to survival / reproductive capacity.
(Sorry to
, OP)
I would also point out that "why" drives a lot of advancement in science, cf. wondering why things fall (gravity).
I see what you did there.
Lol.... Why is this configuration of the human body advantageous?
It's odd to me that this would occur. Logic tells me that since the body is relatively symmetric, that it should be half and half.
There really is no hidden meaning behind it, I am just wondering.
It's odd to me that this would occur. Logic tells me that since the body is relatively symmetric, that it should be half and half.
There really is no hidden meaning behind it, I am just wondering.
Good point.
Just a wild guess here, but it could have something to do with humans having fewer lymph nodes/organs on the left side of the body.
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Yeah, we only make the **** that drives science forward.
I'd assume a lymphatic system in a complex organism would be critical to survival.Perhaps. One might argue, though, that the millions of other organisms that populate the Earth have vastly differing vascular setups (if any) and prosper in spite of that, so it might not be critical to survival / reproductive capacity.
(Sorry to
Only one in which net capillary filtration exceeds absorption (which probably can't be said for all organisms). I'm sure many principles of our CV system go out the window in sea creatures, for example, who aren't subjected to the same ambient pressure.
I can't find any literature that states this, but from looking at the picture in my anatomy book, the left and right sides look relatively equal in number of lymph nodes.
Cause righty tighty! Duh! Come on it's elementary!
😀
😀
embryology. gotta drain the gut, and you only do it with what ends up as the left side. problem is you still have the right upper extremity to drain.. as far as a grand scheme answer, who knows. i bet if you look at a lot of species its like this though (of course im speculating) ... not just a survival advantage for humans
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