Chapter 14, Problem 1TC

Summary Introduction

To determine:

How might the presence of appendix can be used to show humans common ancestry with other mammals and what might it tells about the dietary history of humans. As the human appendix is the vestigial extension of large intestine and is homologous to the structure called caecum in other mammals a caecum is generally larger than our appendix that aids in bacteria digesting cellulose the main component of plant.

Introduction:

Appendix is a pouch like structure which is present in the right side of the abdomen. It is a small structure which is of no use in human body, but is a vestigial organ which comes from the ancestors. Caecum is also small and pouch like structure which is present just above the large intestine, near the appendix.