Vestigial structures

Random thread. Do you think that vestigial structures have a real purpose - or at least used to? For example, the human appendix.

Yes vestigial structures were very useful is the past. Most vestigial structures were evolved over time, so many of these structures were essential for our ancestors and other animals that thrived many centuries ago. And in regards to the appendix, it has something to do with the immune system, although it is not too essential to have and would not worry if it had to be removed. There is no definitive answer on exactly what the appendix does, as i've heard. I just know it's linked to the immune system.

The Summer of Love wrote:

Random thread. Do you think that vestigial structures have a real purpose - or at least used to? For example, the human appendix.

Every part of the human body has a purpose, period.

Jake wrote:

Yes vestigial structures were very useful is the past. Most vestigial structures were evolved over time, so many of these structures were essential for our ancestors and other animals that thrived many centuries ago. And in regards to the appendix, it has something to do with the immune system, although it is not too essential to have and would not worry if it had to be removed. There is no definitive answer on exactly what the appendix does, as i've heard. I just know it's linked to the immune system.

The appendix has been proven to be an "emergency" germ killer. Although it get's infected easily, it can be a life saver by killing itself rather than letting a virus get into your body

Huh, interesting. I didn't know that, CAPS LOCK.

Yes but there might be other functions of the appendix, it just has not been found yet. But yes that is one function of the apendix.