Question

________ is a vestigial organ in human beings that is still functional in the herbivorous mammals.

• A. Limb
• B. Vermiform appendix
• C. Liver
• D. Eardrum

Answer 1

The correct option is B Vermiform appendix

There are some organs in the human body that are present in reduced form and do not perform any function in the body. They are believed to be the remnant organs which were structurally complete and functional in their ancestors. These organs are called vestigial organs. Some examples of vestigial organs found in humans are auricular muscles (muscles of pinna), nictitating membrane, vermiform appendix, caudal vertebrae (coccyx or tailbone), etc.

Vermiform appendix is a small projection from the blind end of the caecum, a part of the large intestine. It does not perform a vital role in life processes in humans, rather is a storehouse of some ‘good bacteria’. However, its corresponding organ in herbivorous mammals is functional. It contains microbes which help in the digestion of cellulose present in their food.

Limbs, eardrum, and liver are the organs which are present in humans as well as in herbivores. They are found to be functional in humans as well as in herbivores.

Figure : Vermiform appendix in humans