4 ms·
Even if that's just a seam, so to speak, it doesn't mean it can't evolve, I guess. So the question is: why do we have a part of the body that seems to serve no
by GuB-42 3y ago
Even if that's just a seam, so to speak, it doesn't mean it can't evolve, I guess.
So the question is: why do we have a part of the body that seems to serve no purpose besides getting infected? And if it is not, in fact, useless, what purpose does it serve? Logically it should improve survivability more than the occasional infection decreases it, otherwise it should have disappeared, or at least, be different than it is now.
Unless appendicitis is a relatively modern disease and didn't affect survivability significantly and for long enough for evolution to do its work, which is a common hypothesis.
- killjoywashere 3y agoThe appendix does not evolve. The organism evolves. Logically, the genes encode proteins that respond to the local microenvironment. And that's it. The cells have no idea where they are, other than subtle cues from their neighbors. Imagine trying to build a city with no localization input except accelerometry. Theoretically, works fine. In practice, eh, there are some odds and ends left over.