Characteristics of Males and Females

Introduction Due to evolution and survival of the fittest, characteristics among males and females have drastically changed over the past centuries. The difference in characteristics between genders is known as sexual dimorphism. Although evolution has changed the structure, color and size of some species, they all have differences among the males and females of each. To better understand the difference among human males and females, individuals can measure the arm-spans, heights, and hand lengths of each gender in a sample population. The experiment provides an opportunity for individuals to see first hand how different males and females actually are when it comes to physical characteristics.

Material and Methods While preparing for this sexual dimorphism experiment, all that is needed is a standard measuring tape and a sample subject. The sample during this experiment consisted of 68 volunteers in a Principles of Biology class, 33 of them being female and 35 being male. The sample was cut down into groups of four, but at the end, all the measurements were put back together. Once the materials were collected to conduct the experiment, we started with the height of each individual. To do so, a person converted feet to centimeters to find their height. This was done without the help of the group. Following the height measuring process, a group measured the arm-span of each individual. Using a standard tape measure, the arm-span of each member in the group was calculated from the middle finger tip to the other middle finger tip. The arm-span was calculated in centimeters and was conducted with the help of the other members in the group. The final category measured was the hand length of each group member. To measure this, a person held their hand up straight, and their partner used a tape measure to calculate the length from middle finger tip to the very end of the hand, or start of the wrist. This category was also calculated in centimeters.