Very rarely, human babies are born with what appear to be tails. These are oftentimes caused by an elongated tailbone, or coccyx. These tails are surgically removed and do not usually pose a risk to the child's health. However, why would humans even have a coccyx in the first place, if we do not have tails? Explain the significance of a coccyx and why humans have it, as well as what type of structure it is and where it comes from. In addition, identify another similar structure in humans and explain its evolutionary history. (Use words such as: vestigial structures, evolution, function, evolutionary remnant)

Question

Susie Q

Biology

6 March, 00:37

Very rarely, human babies are born with what appear to be tails. These are oftentimes caused by an elongated tailbone, or coccyx. These tails are surgically removed and do not usually pose a risk to the child's health. However, why would humans even have a coccyx in the first place, if we do not have tails? Explain the significance of a coccyx and why humans have it, as well as what type of structure it is and where it comes from. In addition, identify another similar structure in humans and explain its evolutionary history. (Use words such as: vestigial structures, evolution, function, evolutionary remnant)

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Answers (1)

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Goon · Answer 1

The coccyx is a vestigial structure that had evolutionary significance in an ancestor of humans

Explanation:

It has been believed that the appendix is another vestigial structure since this organ has not known functions; however, recent evidence supports the idea that the appendix is an organ that protects the bacteria in the gut