Anatomy & Physiology, WHY-ZYG
Human beings have long been curious about the way that things work, and that curiosity includes wondering about how we ourselves work. The fields of anatomy and physiology involve studying the structures of bodies and the way that those structures and bodies function.
Anatomy & Physiology Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Why Can’t You Tickle Yourself?
At some point in your life you’ve probably been tickled—repeatedly touched in a way that induced smiling, laughter,......
Why Do Animals Have Tails?
There are numerous reasons why many animals have a tail. One answer is that a tail of some kind has helped different......
Why do bats sleep upside down?
Bats sleep upside down because their anatomy and physiology are adapted for this position. Their legs are slender......
Why do cats blink slowly?
Cats blink slowly as a form of nonverbal communication, often interpreted as a sign of trust and affection toward......
Why do cats have slit pupils?
Cats have slit pupils primarily to enhance their ability to see in varying light conditions. They are crepuscular......
Why do cats have whiskers?
Cats have whiskers primarily for tactile sensing, which is crucial for their survival and daily activities. Whiskers,......
Why do deer shed their antlers?
Deer shed their antlers as part of hormonal changes linked to their survival and mating season. In all but one......
Why do dogs have wet noses?
Dogs have wet noses mainly to enhance their sense of smell. The moisture on the nose traps scent particles in the......
Why do dogs wag their tails?
Dogs wag their tails primarily as a form of communication, allowing them to express a range of emotions. Tail wagging......
Why do giraffes have long necks?
The long neck of a giraffe (genus Giraffa) is a classic example of adaptation, which is the process by which a......
Why Do Gray Hairs Have a Different Texture?
Gray hairs are indeed unusual, and not only because of their color. Gray hair is stiffer and more wiry than hair......
Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?
Some consider this a trick question. That’s because horses actually doze while on their feet and lie down for REM......
Why do humans have eyebrows?
Eyebrows are an often overlooked feature of the face. Without much fanfare they automatically do their job of protecting......
Why do humans need water?
Water makes up more than half the body weight of adult humans. That value is 75 percent for babies. As an essential......
Why Do Our Noses Have Two Nostrils?
When it comes to eyes and ears, pairs make sense. Paired eyes give us stereo vision, which allows us to see objects......
Why do people blush?
People blush mainly in response to emotions such as embarrassment, shame, or confusion. When someone feels these......
Why do salmon die after spawning?
Salmon are biologically programmed to die after spawning, a phenomenon known as semelparity. This is a reproductive......
Why do snakes flick their tongues?
When William Shakespeare warned of the venomous touch of a serpent’s forked tongue, he was quite off the mark.......
Why do we age?
Aging is a complex process influenced by a combination of various factors, including genetics, our environment,......
Why Do We Have Earwax?
Sticky, gooey, oftentimes orange, and homemade within the ears—earwax is considered a gross nuisance that people......
Why do we need sleep?
We need to sleep, because it plays an important role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. Sleep gives......
Why do zebras have stripes?
There are several theories about why zebras have stripes. Scientists believe that one of the main reasons is camouflage......
Why Does Blood Taste Like Metal?
Blood is often described as having a metallic taste because it contains a large amount of iron, mainly within hemoglobin,......
Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?
Whether cilantro tastes fresh and citrusy or horribly soapy largely comes down to genetics. For most people, cilantro......
Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
Hair turns gray as melanocytes—the cells that generate melanin, which gives hair (and skin) its coloration—deteriorate......
Why Does Head Hair Grow Indefinitely but Not Body Hair?
The key difference between the growth of head hair and body hair lies in the duration of the active growth phase:......
Why Does Heat Relax Your Muscles?
Exercise is painful. As the cliché goes, “No pain, no gain.” When the body exerts itself, pumping action out of......
Why Is Eating Protein Important?
There are three basic macronutrients that the body needs to survive: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Proteins......
Why Is Sleep Important?
Sleep is a cornerstone of human health, a window of time in which the body repairs itself, memories are consolidated,......
Wing
Wing, in zoology, one of the paired structures by means of which certain animals propel themselves in the air.......
Wolffian duct
Wolffian duct, one of a pair of tubes that carry urine from primitive or embryonic kidneys to the exterior or to......
wrist
wrist, complex joint between the five metacarpal bones of the hand and the radius and ulna bones of the forearm.......
xanthan gum
xanthan gum, water-soluble polysaccharide compound that is produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris and......
Xg blood group system
Xg blood group system, classification of human blood based on the presence of proteins called Xg antigens on the......
Yolk
Yolk, the nutritive material of an egg, used as food by a developing, embryonic animal. Eggs with relatively little,......
Yt blood group system
Yt blood group system, classification of human blood based on the presence of molecules known as Yt antigens on......
zygote
zygote, fertilized egg cell that results from the union of a female gamete (egg, or ovum) with a male gamete (sperm).......