If men are stronger than women, why do the genes that cause muscle growth cluster on the X chromosone?

Question

I'm not trying to put a feminist agenda on this, but I was curious when I read it in a book. I know that men are stronger than women, but why is it that muscle genes cluster on the X chromosone, and why aren't women stronger since they have two?

I've heard of that, Anika D, but I'm not sure why. Can someone answer that, too?

Answer 1

First off, the effects of the X and Y genes aren't "averaged out" but rather regulated. A female does have two X chromosomes, but the genes on those chromosomes are being regulated by protein production which is regulated by hormones. Basically what is happening is that the female cell is recognizing that there are two copies of a certain gene (like one on the X chromosome) and it down regulates this gene, essentially terminating its transcription. A "normal" male however, only has one X chromosome and therefor the genes on this chromosome must be upreguated to produce enough gene product. Earlier I said "normal" male meaning one with XY genotype, this is because you can have other genotypes such as XYY. The sex of an individual on the genomic level is determined by the RATIO of sex chromosomes to autosomes, not neccesarily the number of chromosomes.
Furthermore, a males body is built with larger thicker bones that allow for more muscle mass. The physiological composition of a female just doesn't allow for the gain of that much muscle. For example you can use a toothpick to pick up a cocktail weenie, the same toothpick would surely break if you tried picking up a steak... It's just too much mass for the small structure.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I'm no expert, but it's not the amount of of X chromos, it's the end result. The idea is that the traits between the two chromosomes are averaged, not added. I think the main reason men are typically stronger than women is the fact the women have extra body parts that men don't have i.e. men can have stronger pecs because they don't have breasts taking up the space. Hopefully that helps.

Answer 4

It really has nothing to do with muscle development as both men and women have the same number of muscles; it's a rather hormonal thing.

Men and women have equal potentials of being strong.

Testosterone secretion stimulates muscle growth, testosterone is regulated by the X, but the Y increases expression of testosterone synthesis, thus women are able to express testosterone but not as much as men (normally) because women don't carry the Y. Some women have higher potentials of expression in the X, some lower. Same as men, some have it high (really hairy guys for example), and some low (the skinny, hairless type).

I hope that helps.

Cheers.

Answer 5

Well, all i can say is that the muscle genes must have done a little more clustering than usual when i got made because i am a total Wimp.

Answer 6

men dont have stronnger pecs because breasts take up the space, that's not how it works.
i think the reason is although the muscle genes are on the X chromosome, i would guess that the hormones that make muscles stronger are on the Y chromosome or something but that's a guess

Answer 7

Having two muscle gene clusters is like having two receipes for a similar desert. You get variety but doesn't mean you'll get more cake. But having more testosterone is like have more cake makers = more muscles.

Answer 8

oh also it dosent matter that you have to x chromsomes you onle wse 1 the other one becomes methlated which means in effect it just sits there but does nothing. on the birght side if something happens to you useble x and it messed up the bar body may activate. SO in ending you have 2 but it does not matter because you only use one.

Answer 9

i think it has to do with hormones. women may have more genes to stimulate muscle growth but i believe its the hormone testosterone that activates these genes. since women produce much less testosterone they have less muscle mass.

Answer 10

Hormonios, the male hormonios make the muscle