DiscoverFuture IQEvolution's Binary Choice - Why 2 Sexes Are Better Than 3 or 5 or 1000 | Future IQ
Evolution's Binary Choice - Why 2 Sexes Are Better Than 3 or 5 or 1000 | Future IQ

Evolution's Binary Choice - Why 2 Sexes Are Better Than 3 or 5 or 1000 | Future IQ

Update: 2025-10-03
Share

Description

Why are there only two sexes in humans and animals? In this episode, we explore the fascinating evolutionary and mathematical reasons behind the existence of just two sexes, and why sexual reproduction is so much more complex than simple bacterial splitting. You’ll discover how variation and diversity drive survival, why eggs and sperm evolved to be so different, how mitochondria shaped this process, and why evolution picked exactly two sexes instead of three or more. We also look at examples from yeast and plants, the problem of self-pollination, and how men and women’s bodies diverged through evolutionary pressures including the surprising Fisherian runaway effect. If you’ve ever wondered “Why does sex even exist?” this episode has the answers.

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Evolution's Binary Choice - Why 2 Sexes Are Better Than 3 or 5 or 1000 | Future IQ

Evolution's Binary Choice - Why 2 Sexes Are Better Than 3 or 5 or 1000 | Future IQ

Videoschool Media