LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Vestigial structures are often homologous to structures that function normally in other species. Therefore, vestigial structures can be considered evidence for evolution, the process by which beneficial heritable traits arise in populations over an extended period of time.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -Fossil evidence provides a record of how creatures evolved and how this process can be represented by a ‘tree of life’, showing that all species are related to each other. Fossils can also be used to date rocks.

Detailed explanation-4: -How do vestigial structures indicate that present-day organisms are different from their ancient ancestors? The structures may once have functioned in the ancestors of the organism.

Detailed explanation-5: -Structures that have lost their use through evolution are called vestigial structures. They provide evidence for evolution because they suggest that an organism changed from using the structure to not using the structure, or using it for a different purpose.