LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Examples of vestigial structures include the human appendix, the pelvic bone of a snake, and the wings of flightless birds. Vestigial structures can become detrimental, but in most cases these structures are harmless; however, these structures, like any other structure, require extra energy and are at risk for disease.

Detailed explanation-2: -Often, these vestigial structures were organs that performed some important functions in the organism at one point in the past. However, as the population changed due to natural selection, those structures became less and less necessary until they were rendered pretty much useless.

Detailed explanation-3: -The existence of vestigial organs can be attributed to changes in the environment and behaviour patterns of the organism in question. As the function of the structure is no longer beneficial for survival, the likelihood that future offspring will inherit the “normal” form of the structure decreases.

Detailed explanation-4: -Vestigial structures are homologous to fully functioning structures inherited by related lineages. Thus, they provide strong evidence of common ancestry and can help us trace the evolutionary origin of the species with the vestigial structures.

Detailed explanation-5: -Generations ago, ancestors of humans had tails, but this trait has disappeared over time. However, humans retain the coccyx (or tailbone), which was used to anchor a tail to the body. As the coccyx is reduced and serves no purpose, it is vestigial.