answersLogoWhite

0

Vestigial structures do not harm the organism. Nature selects against only harmful traits.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about General Science

Which is an example of vestigial structure?

Most of the "higher evolved" animals I can think of have a vestigial structure or two. The most common example given is of the vestigial leg structures that can be found in the back of whales. Ostriches can't fly so i think their wings are considered vestigial. Humans have a vestigial tail bone.


How do vestigial structures support the theory of evolution?

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.


How does natural selection support the theory of evolution?

Simple observation. Look at the many species that have evolved to specialize to a specific environment. Let's say you have daisies growing in your yard. They will have some natural differences in them. Some may be taller than others. You mow your yard on a regular basis. Many of the taller ones can't survive long enough to go to seed. More of the naturally short ones survive to "mate" with other short ones and soon enough their genes come to dominate in that environment. Eventually you wind up with a species of short-stemmed daisies. However, that fact that this is an observable truth does not prove the idea that one species evolved from another (the theory of evolution). While it suggests that this is possible, there is a woeful lack of evidence to prove it. Even Darwin knew this and wrote about it. Those short daisies are still daisies.


Describe how irrigation on farms influences natural sources of water and the ecosystems they support?

There will be water shortages if too much water is removed from the ecosystem.


How is disruptive selection different from directional selection?

disruptive selection favors the extremes of a range of selection Disruptive selection refers to natural selection that favors phenotypic extremes. Example (off the top of my head, but based loosely on reality): Consider a population of seed-eating birds with beaks that range in size, so that big beaks are best adapted to eating big seeds, small beaks are best adapted to small seeds, and medium beaks are best adapted to medium seeds. Now suppose that the source of medium seeds goes extinct (perhaps because of a fungal pathogen). The bird phenotype with medium beaks looses its food source; selection favors the big and small beaks.

Related Questions

why are structures not removed by natural selection?

Vestigial structures do not harm the organism. Nature selects against only harmful traits.


Why are vegistal structures not removed by natural selection?

Vestigial structures are not removed by natural selection because they often do not significantly impact an organism's survival or reproductive success. These structures may have lost their original function but can still exist without detrimental effects. Additionally, if a vestigial structure does not impose a substantial cost to the organism, natural selection may not act strongly against it, allowing it to persist through generations.


Why are vestigial structures not removed by natural section?

Vestigial structures are remnants of features that were once functional in an organism's ancestors but are no longer needed in the current environment. Natural selection does not actively remove these structures because they do not typically have a negative impact on an organism's fitness. Since they do not hinder survival or reproduction, they are not actively selected against.


Why is vestigial structures not removed by natural selection?

Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or traits that served a purpose in an organism's ancestors but have lost their original function. Natural selection does not necessarily remove these structures because they may not significantly impact an organism's survival or reproductive success. Additionally, if vestigial traits do not impose a substantial disadvantage, they can persist in the population. Over time, these structures may remain due to genetic drift or because their costs are outweighed by other beneficial traits.


Why are vestigia sttuctures not removed by natural selection?

Vestigial structures are not removed by natural selection because they may still confer some minor benefit or have a neutral effect on an organism's fitness. While these structures may no longer serve their original function, they can persist if they do not significantly hinder survival or reproduction. Additionally, the evolutionary process is influenced by various factors, including genetic drift and environmental changes, which can allow vestigial traits to remain in a population despite their reduced utility.


How are vestigial structures not removed by natural selection?

Yes, because vestigial structures can be harmful. For example, some humans are now born without an appendix which ensures they will not be killed via appendicitis. Having a smaller expression of a vestigial structure, like having a smaller appendix, saves on the energy wasted in maintaining an unneeded structure.


Why do molluscs have a soft body?

When they first appeared, they all had a hard shell to protect them, as they evolved and natural selection removed some of their relatives, this trait was removed and (like octopodes and squid) the shell became a vestigial structure and was removed.


Why wisdom teeth are vestigial structures?

They are not needed (we have enough teeth without them) and there is no room for them. Almost everyone needs to get them removed. They are more of a pain (literally) than they are worth.


What do they remove in an appendectomy?

The appendix is removed. The appendix is a vestigial organ found in the cecum. If it gets inflamed, it is removed and the surgery is called appendectomy.


What is vestigial side band transmission?

Vestigial sideband (VSB) is a type of amplitude modulation ( AM ) technique (sometimes called VSB-AM ) that encodes data by varying the amplitude of a single carrier frequency . Portions of one of the redundant sidebands are removed to form a vestigial sideband signal - so-called because a vestige of the sideband remains.


What is a vestigial structure that has no known function and can be removed if infected?

The appendix is a vestigial structure in humans that is often cited as having no essential function. While it may play a minor role in gut flora management, it is not crucial for survival and can be safely removed if it becomes infected, such as in cases of appendicitis. Its removal typically does not result in any significant health issues.


What is appurtenant structures?

Something that is attached to the structure that can be removed.