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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is considered a vestigial organ due to changes in the human diet?
Which of the following is considered a vestigial organ due to changes in the human diet?
- Ear muscles
- Small intestine
- Wisdom teeth (correct)
- Coccyx
What was the original function of the human appendix thought to be?
What was the original function of the human appendix thought to be?
- Digesting cellulose (correct)
- Filtering blood
- Digesting protein
- Balancing the body
Which of these is a function that the tail bone (coccyx) no longer serves in humans?
Which of these is a function that the tail bone (coccyx) no longer serves in humans?
- Pumping blood
- Digesting food
- Hearing
- Balancing the body (correct)
How do ear muscles in humans serve as evidence of evolution?
How do ear muscles in humans serve as evidence of evolution?
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Why is the human appendix considered vestigial?
Why is the human appendix considered vestigial?
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Which of the following organs is a remnant of a tail found in animal ancestors?
Which of the following organs is a remnant of a tail found in animal ancestors?
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Study Notes
Vestigial Organs
- Vestigial organs are organs that have lost their original function through evolution, but were present and functional in ancestral organisms.
Examples of Vestigial Organs
- Appendix: A vestigial organ that was once used for digesting cellulose in ancestors, but is no longer necessary for human digestion.
- Wisdom Teeth: Were once necessary for chewing tough, fibrous foods in the past, but are now often impacted or removed due to changes in human diet.
- Tail Bone (Coccyx): A remnant of the tail found in animal ancestors, which is no longer necessary for balance or locomotion in humans.
- Ear Muscles: Muscles around the ear that are vestigial and no longer serve a purpose in humans.
Evolutionary Significance
- Vestigial organs provide evidence for evolution, illustrating the process of natural selection and adaptation.
- The presence of vestigial organs suggests that humans and other organisms share a common ancestor.
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