Man has evolved over centuries. Therefore, many parts of our body which were needed by our ancestors then are no longer needed by us now. These organs, which once performed a function but now no longer have any use are called vestigial organs.
A. You might have seen a dog moving its ears. Why do you think it does so?
B. It is believed that ancient humans used to have a tail. Find more about it and write in the space given below.
C. Can you think of any more vestigial organs in human beings? Write about any one vestigial organ.
Answer (2)
Dogs move their ears to express emotions and enhance hearing. Ancient humans are believed to have had tails for balance and communication, which evolved into the coccyx in modern humans. The appendix is a common example of a vestigial organ, which may have a minor role in gut health but is not essential for survival.
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Man has indeed evolved over centuries, and as a result, some parts of our body that were beneficial to our ancestors are not necessarily needed in our modern lives. These parts are called vestigial organs. Let's explore the questions step-by-step:
A. Dogs move their ears for several reasons, mainly to better catch and hear sounds. This ability helps them detect the direction from which sounds are coming, and is a trait that aids in communication with other dogs or identifying potential threats from their surroundings.
B. It is believed that ancient humans did have a tail. In our evolutionary past, our ancestors likely had tails similar to those of other primates, which would have helped with balance and aiding in movement through trees. Over time, as humans began walking upright and living in different environments, the tail became unnecessary and evolved into a small bone structure called the coccyx, or tailbone, at the end of the human vertebral column.
C. An example of a vestigial organ in modern humans is the appendix. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped sac attached to the lower end of the large intestine. It is believed that the appendix played a role in digesting cellulose in the diet of our herbivorous ancestors, but in present-day humans, it no longer serves a significant purpose. However, some researchers suggest it might have a minor role related to the immune system, or as a reserve for beneficial bacteria.
