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)
•hair raising: goosebumps in humans versus raising hackles to appear larger and aggressive in other animals like cats and monkeys
• pelvis: supports upper body and attaches to lower body in humans versus being tiny and nonfunctional in legless animals like whales and snakes
ear muscles: ability to wiggle ears in humans versus rotating ears to hear predators in prey animals like deer
tail: tail bone in humans versus long tails for balance and communication in other animals like lizards and

Answer 1

The structure that serves a purpose in humans from the listed options is the pelvis. In humans, the pelvis supports the upper body and provides attachment for the lower body, while in legless animals like whales and snakes, the pelvis is reduced and nonfunctional.

The other options—hair raising (goosebumps), ear muscles, and the tail bone—are considered vestigial in humans, as they do not serve the same functional purpose as they do in other animals. Goosebumps do not help humans appear larger or more aggressive, ear muscles are not used for hearing, and the tailbone does not function as a balance or communication tool in the way tails do for other animals.