LIFE SCIENCE

OBJECTIVE LIFE SCIENCE

EVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
A body part in a present-day organism that doesn’t serve its original purpose is a/an ____ structure.
A
vestigial
B
homologous
C
analogous
D
adaptable
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Structures that have no apparent function and appear to be residual parts from a past ancestor are called vestigial structures. Examples of vestigial structures include the human appendix, the pelvic bone of a snake, and the wings of flightless birds.

Detailed explanation-2: -In humans, the appendix is a good example of a vestigial organ. This non-functioning organ eventually degenerates, shrinking in size and disappearing ultimately. Examining vestigiality should be governed by drawing similarities with their counterparts with respect to their homologous features.

Detailed explanation-3: -Examples of vestigial organs in humans usually include the appendix, the coccyx (tail bone), and the tonsils. Body hair, wisdom teeth, nipples on males, nictitating membrane of eye, tonsils are also the vestigial organs of humans.

Detailed explanation-4: -Final answer: Epiglottis is not a vestigial organ in man.

Detailed explanation-5: -A vestigial structure is a biological structure that has lost a major ancestral function and is usually drastically reduced in size. Well-known examples include the eyes of blind cave fishes and blind cave salamanders, and the diminutive wings of kiwis and emus.

There is 1 question to complete.