Evolution Question 85

85. Which one of the following sets includes only the vestigial structures in man?

[1996]

(a) Body hair, olecranon process, coccyx, patella

(b) Wisdom teeth, mammary glands, coccyx, patella

(c) Coccyx, nictitating membrane, vermiform appendix, ear muscles

(d) Coccyx, body hair, ear ossicles, vermiform appendix

Show Answer

Answer : c

Hints & Solution

(c) Vestigial organs are those organs which are non-functional in the possessor but were functional in their ancestors and in related animals. Human beings possess many vestigial organs like nictitating membrane in the eye, vermiform appendix at the end of caecum, coccyx and tail muscles, non-functional muscles of the pinna, wisdom teeth, segmental muscle of abdomen and nipples in males.