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

hair raising: goosebumps in humans versus raising hackles to appear larger and aggressive in other animals like cats and monkeys
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
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 and rabbits
ear muscles: ability to wiggle ears in humans versus rotating ears to hear predators in prey animals like deer and rabbits

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
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Answer 1

The best choice from the listed options 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

While the human pelvis does have vestigial aspects compared to those of other animals (like whales), it still plays a vital role in supporting the upper body and connecting to the lower body, making it functional. The other options describe structures that are largely vestigial in humans.