It’s widely recognized that there are far more right-handed people than left-handed people in the world. Being right-handed simply means preferring to use one’s right hand for tasks that involve only one hand, such as writing and eating. But have you ever wondered about the possible reasons behind the global dominance of the right hand over the left?
As with many complex biological questions, multiple factors appear to be at play. First, one reason seems to be genetics. __1__ Therefore, the global dominance of right-handedness is something that has been passed down through many generations of humans.
Next, the answer may also be related to how the human brain works. __2__ Interestingly, the left and right hemispheres control movements on opposite sides of the body. In other words, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. Moreover, the left side of the brain is the side responsible for planning and fine motor skills. __3__
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
世界上右撇子的人數遠比左撇子還多更多，這是廣為周知的。身為右撇子單純指偏好使用右手來進行只會用到一隻手的任務（像是寫字和吃飯）。但你是否曾思考過全球主要都是右撇子而非左撇子背後的可能原因呢？
就如同許多複雜的生物問題，許多因素似乎都有影響。首先，一個原因似乎是遺傳。研究顯示，偏好用某一隻手勝過另一隻手可能是家族遺傳。因此，全球主要都是右撇子這件事，就是人類代代相傳而來的。
接著，答案可能也和人類大腦是如何運作的有關。具體來說，大腦不同的區域控制不同功能。有趣的是，左右腦控制的是身體另一邊的活動。換句話說，左腦控制身體右半邊，右腦控制身體左半邊。再者，左腦負責規劃和精細動作技能。因此，這半邊的大腦在身體從事肢體活動時往往會比較活躍。
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
Words in Use
1. dominance n. 主導地位；優勢
The dominance of social media platforms over traditional forms of communication is undeniable.
社群媒體平臺比傳統溝通方式更具優勢，這一點是毋庸置疑的。
2. biological a. 生物的
This discovery opens up new prospects for biological research. 這項發現為生物研究開啟了新的前景。
3. genetics n. 遺傳的特質(作複數用)；基因∕遺傳學
The study of genetics has made the prevention of birth defects possible.
基因學的研究使得預防先天性缺陷成為可能。
Practical Phrases
1. be at play 有影響，起作用
Climate change is a complex issue with multiple factors at play.
氣候變遷是個複雜的議題，有多重因素造成了影響。
2. pass down... / pass... down
將……傳給後人，把……往下傳
These intriguing stories have been passed down from father to son over many generations.
這些有趣的故事已由父傳子代代相傳。
To be continued tomorrow （明天待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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