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Vestigial structures are the expressed genetic remnants indicatory of a species evolutionary past. In humans one such vestigial remnant is the coccyx, which were once part of tail structures in our primate ancestors.

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10y ago
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14y ago

Evolution is a slow process of trial and error. Vestigial organs are organs that once had a function in the ancestral body. They are no longer important, so the body puts less energy into developing them, but we still inherit these characteristics in our DNA. However, often organs that we consider vestigial still do serve some function, although we can survive without them.

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Q: Why do vestigial structures still exist in spite of natural selection?
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Can natural selection exist with out evolution?

Perhaps not, but evolution can exist without natural selection.


Does natural selection exist?

Of course!


Why is natural selection important for the animals?

Because all animals that exist have formed, and are being formed and re-formed, continuously, primarily by natural selection.


How did humans come to exist according to Darwin?

They evolved by a process of natural selection.


Are new alleles made by natural selection?

New alleles are not directly created by natural selection. Instead, natural selection acts on existing genetic variation in a population, favoring those alleles that provide a reproductive advantage in a particular environment. Mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow are processes that can generate new alleles, which then undergo natural selection based on their impact on an organism's survival and reproduction.


How does natural selection relate to randomness?

In all natural processes, there is an element of chance. In natural selection, most of that chance is introduced by the randomness of the genetic variations it works with. But other elements of chance exist as well. Natural selection is a stochastic phenomenon: not every less able variant will produce less offspring than the more able variant; much depends on chance environmental circumstances.


How is the word 'astronomy' defined?

Astronomy is the science which studies natural non-biological physical structures that exist outside the Earth's atmosphere.


What did Darwin mean when he said that natural selection works on existing variation?

Darwin meant that natural selection acts on the variations that are already present in a population. It does not create new variations but rather amplifies the frequency of beneficial traits that are advantageous for survival and reproduction. In this way, natural selection shapes the characteristics of a population over time.


The similarities in the Galapagos finches implied?

The Galapagos finches only exist on the islands and inspired Charles Darwin. They implied that evolution occurs through natural selection.


Do mutation evolution and natural selection apply to individuals or populations?

Natural selection primarily applies to individuals within a population by favoring those with advantageous traits that increase their reproductive success. Mutation is a random process that can occur in individuals, leading to genetic variation within a population. Over time, natural selection acts on these variations in the population.


Does science say that god do exist?

No, science believes the Big Bang created the universe. Science believes that humans evolved from apes through the theory of natural selection.


What happens in natural selection when living things face many challenges in the struggle to exist?

In this scenario, individuals with traits that help them better adapt to the challenges have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population through the process of natural selection, leading to a better fit between the organisms and their environment.