Question

The image below shows a baleen whale with the vestigial hind legs and pelvic structure circled in red. These
bones are are internal the entire life of the organism. In two sentences, describe the significance of this vestigial
structure in relation to evolution and classification of whales in the tree of life.

Answer 1

Answer:

Vestigial organs became non functional in the due course of evolution

Explanation:

Vestigial organs help in understanding the evolution process of an organism through which it has gone and lost its functionality. These organs are no more needed as they were needed in our ancestors. They look like residues of our ancestors. For instance appendix in human beings is a vestigial organ  

In case of mammal like whlale, presence of pelvic bones indicates that they have originated from four legged land mammals who have lost their hind limbs.  

Also the loss of function of vestigial organ, is due to the absence of selection pressures thereby lowering the importance of these organs in assuring the fitness of an individual in future generation. There can be a genetic drift or any random event that eliminated the functionality of vestigial organs