6 Questions
Which of the following is considered a vestigial organ due to changes in the human diet?
Wisdom teeth
What was the original function of the human appendix thought to be?
Digesting cellulose
Which of these is a function that the tail bone (coccyx) no longer serves in humans?
Balancing the body
How do ear muscles in humans serve as evidence of evolution?
They show similarity to ancient ear structures used for movement in monkeys.
Why is the human appendix considered vestigial?
It was functional in digesting cellulose in ancestors.
Which of the following organs is a remnant of a tail found in animal ancestors?
Coccyx
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.
Learn about vestigial organs, their characteristics, and examples such as the appendix and wisdom teeth. Discover how they were functional in ancestral organisms but are no longer necessary in modern humans.
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