Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321775651
ISBN 13: 978-0-32177-565-8

Chapter 41 - Test Your Understanding - Level 3 - Synthesis/Evaluation - Page 914: 9

Answer

It is possible that female humans are able to offload some of the excess iron through their shed uterine lining.

Work Step by Step

Since iron is expelled from the body via the shed uterine lining in menstruation, and we see much lower rates of excess iron in women, it would be reasonable to conclude that women with hemochromatosis are able to regulate via menstruation. They are able to regulate their iron levels somehow better than men with the same condition, which makes the cause likely to be something unique to women (all else being equal).
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