Humans have a lot of homologous structures in common with other animals, and several of these structures are no longer in working order in human bodies. These nonfunctioning structures are called vestigial structures. They still show evidence of common ancestry, but they do not do the same things in humans as they do in other animals.

Question

Listed below are mostly vestigial structures. Select the one that serves a purpose in humans.

(1 point)
Responses

ear muscles: ability to wiggle ears in humans versus rotating ears to hear predators in prey animals like deer and rabbits
ear muscles: ability to wiggle ears in humans versus rotating ears to hear predators in prey animals like deer and rabbits

pelvis: supports upper body and attaches to lower body in humans versus being tiny and nonfunctional in legless animals like whales and snakes
pelvis: supports upper body and attaches to lower body in humans versus being tiny and nonfunctional in legless animals like whales and snakes

tail: tail bone in humans versus long tails for balance and communication in other animals like lizards and wolves
tail: tail bone in humans versus long tails for balance and communication in other animals like lizards and wolves

hair raising: goosebumps in humans versus raising hackles to appear larger and aggressive in other animals like cats and monkeys

Answer 1

The structure that serves a purpose in humans is pelvis: supports upper body and attaches to lower body in humans versus being tiny and nonfunctional in legless animals like whales and snakes.

The human pelvis is an essential structure for supporting the body and facilitating movement, in contrast to the reduced pelvic structures in animals that have lost their hind limbs. The other options listed describe structures that have lost their original functions or have diminished utility in humans compared to their roles in other animals.