ANSWERS: 5
  • for a long time many thought it did nothing but give evolutionists evidence to argue Most of our internal organs have pretty clear job descriptions, but the appendix doesn't seem to serve any purpose at all. In fact, the only time we notice it is when it stops working, which can be fatal within days unless the organ is removed. Some scientists think it might have served some purpose far back in our evolution, and that the modern appendix is "vestigial," or left over. Only humans and apes have appendixes. - the rest of the animal kingdom seems to do fine without them. There are two main theories about the function of the appendix. Some experts think it serves as a "factory" for bacteria that help us digest the cellulose in some plants we eat. But most scientists believe that both the appendix and the tonsils are part of our immune system, manufacturing B-Lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infections in the body. Whatever the appendix really does, we know we can live without it - about one in fifteen of us has to have a malfunctioning appendix removed, since appendicitis can be fatal. That's a pretty high survival risk to face for an organ that doesn't do something good for us. If it didn't, natural selection probably would have done away with it by now.
  • As a source of income for members of the medical profession and hospitals.
  • Great answer, binary j! In a recent lecture about "gut" pathology I attended recently, the most popular theory right now is that the appendix is important for lymphocyte development in the fetus.
  • Some think it stores good bacteria for the gut.
  • not sure, ive wondered that myself

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