Most people develop wisdom teeth by early adulthood. Wisdom teeth can cause pain or crowd out their other teeth, so many people have these teeth removed. Wisdom teeth in modern humans do not perform a crucial life function.

Question

Which statement best describes the importance of wisdom teeth to human evolution?
(1 point)
Responses

They are vestigial structures that once performed an important function for human ancestors.
They are vestigial structures that once performed an important function for human ancestors.
They are vestigial structures that never performed a necessary function for human ancestors.
They are vestigial structures that never performed a necessary function for human ancestors.
They are evidence that humans cannot evolve.
They are evidence that humans cannot evolve.
They are evidence that humans have never evolved.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the importance of wisdom teeth to human evolution is:

They are vestigial structures that once performed an important function for human ancestors.

Wisdom teeth were once useful for our ancestors, who had a different diet that required more chewing and thus needed additional molars for grinding food. Over time, as human diets and jaw sizes changed, these teeth became less necessary and are now often removed due to causing issues.