Question

Define vestigial organs. Write names of some vestigial organs in human body and write the names of those animals in whom same organs are functional.

Answer 1

• Vestigial organs are degenerated or underdeveloped organs of organisms which do not perform any function.
• According to the principle of natural selection, such organs are on the verge of disappearance. But it takes many millions of years for its complete vanishing.
• The vestigial organs in one animal may be of use but to other kind of the animal as they still perform regular functions.
• Appendix is vestigial for humans, it does not perform any function but in ruminant animals it is concerned with digestion.
• Ear muscles are vestigial for us but in monkeys and cattle they are functional.
• Names of vestigial organs in human body Appendix, tail-bone or coccyx, wisdom teeth and body hair.