How do vestigial structures support the theory of evolution?

Answer 1

It shows that the organism once had a fully functioning organ/structure, but due to some kind of environmental pressure, that organ was no longer beneficial. Because it was no longer beneficial, it was actually detrimental, because the organism required energy to grow these organs, now wasted energy.

Evolution's mechanism is natural selection. This organ is now being selected against, organisms that grew smaller ones now had an advantage over ones with larger ones. So over time, the average size of that organ within the population will shrink, and it will be considered vestigial when it no longer serves its original function.

There's a reason why vestigial organs do not disappear completely, and that's because when the organ is so small and the organism is not wasting as much energy to grow it, it is no longer being selected against. Or in some cases the vestigial organ does have a tiny bit of use and is now beneficial.

Answer 2

It shows that the organism once had a fully functioning organ/structure, but due to some kind of environmental pressure, that organ was no longer beneficial. Because it was no longer beneficial, it was actually detrimental, because the organism required energy to grow these organs, now wasted energy.

Evolution's mechanism is natural selection. This organ is now being selected against, organisms that grew smaller ones now had an advantage over ones with larger ones. So over time, the average size of that organ within the population will shrink, and it will be considered vestigial when it no longer serves its original function.

There's a reason why vestigial organs do not disappear completely, and that's because when the organ is so small and the organism is not wasting as much energy to grow it, it is no longer being selected against. Or in some cases the vestigial organ does have a tiny bit of use and is now beneficial.

Answer 3

Yes. Take your coccyx, tail bone, for example. In a remote ancestor this tail was used in a prehensile fashion to grab limbs. In closer ancestors of yours this tail was used for balance. In you the tail is just a vestigial stub used only to complete the pelvic girdle. That is the meaning of vestigial; not used for the original purpose. This supports evolution by showing strongly your connection with many ancestors that possessed tails and tail like appendages. This can be seen at the level of the genes.

Answer 4

Evolution lacks a good eraser, thus stuff that worked in the past is seldom gotten rid of. Thus vestigial organs ... also "junk DNA" ... also lower Back pain in humans.

Yes, some things are removed ... but often as not it just gets reused for a new purpose.

Answer 5

vestigial organs do not PROVE evolution existed but they are an evidence of evolutioin existing

Answer 6

That after a period of time, an organ or body part became obsolete because as the organism evolved, it didn't need it any more. An example is the human appendix

Answer 7

It indicates that there's no overall design, more of a patchwork mess of just barely functional.