Organs or structures that have lost their function in the organism and have become reduced in size (because of evolutionary pressure) are called vestigial structures.
Read the list of human vestigial structures shown in Table 2. Suggest a possible function for each structure and
explain why it became vestigial (why that adaptation became less important for survival). Think about
organisms that are closely related to us and the functions they have for those structures (meaning other
mammals or specifically other primates).
Table 2
Structure
Possible Function(s)
Why it is considered vestigial
Appendix
Coccyx (tail bone)
Muscles that move ears