Question

Which of the following set, in a man includes vestigial organs?

• A. Coccyx, vermiform appendix and ear muscles
• B. Body hair, atlas vertebra and ear muscles
• C. Coccyx, wisdom tooth and patella
• D. Body hair, cochlea, vermiform appendix and tongue.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Coccyx, vermiform appendix and ear muscles

In the context of human evolution, human vestigiality involves those traits occurring in humans that have lost all or most of their original function through evolution. Although structures called as vestigial often appear functionless, a vestigial structure may retain lesser functions or develop minor new ones. In some cases, structures once identified as vestigial simply had an unrecognized function.

The examples of human vestigiality are numerous, including the anatomical (such as the human appendix, tailbone or coccyx, wisdom teeth, pinna muscles and inside corner of the eye), the behavioral (goose bumps and palmar grasp reflex), sensory and molecular (non-coding DNA). Many human characteristics are also vestigial in other primates and related animals. Thus, the correct answer is option A.