Vestigial organ

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/vestigial-organ

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the definition?Anatomical structures that have lost their original function through evolutionary processes
2. What is the scientific significance?Provide compelling evidence for evolution, common ancestry, and phylogenetic relationships between species
3. Why do we still have vestigial organs like the appendix or coccyx?We still have parts like the appendix and coccyx because they were useful to our ancestors, but in modern humans they aren't needed for the same tasks, so they became smaller or less active.
4. Can vestigial organs cause health problems?Sometimes vestigial organs can cause problems. For example, the appendix can become inflamed (appendicitis) and may need to be removed, and wisdom teeth can get stuck and hurt.

Vestigial Organ: An anatomical feature that has lost its primary function through evolutionary history.
Evolution: The process by which populations of organisms change over successive generations through genetic variation and natural selection.
Phylogenetic Analysis: The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.