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Asked by to Alan, Deepak, Francesca, Lilly, Nick on 18 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
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Francesca Day answered on 18 Mar 2014:
We’re not sure! There are a few different theories. For example, some scientists think that our ancestors used their appendices to help digest the cellulose in plants.
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Lilian Hunt answered on 18 Mar 2014:
Your appendix is now known as a vestigal organ – it has no known use anymore. But because we believe in evolution, we think it must have had some use at some time or we would have never had it. Evolutionary evidence believes we may have used it to digest tough things like bark but as we no longer use it, some scientists believe we will eventually use it. Some people have linked it to helping our immune function – the ability to fight off diseases. But as it can be removed without any real side effects this could be only a small part.
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Alan Fitzsimmons answered on 18 Mar 2014:
Probably it did, but no-one is sure what it did. Because we have evolved to no longer use it, perhaps some other organ now does what to used to do. Or maybe we no longer need it because what it did is no longer necessary, like help us digest raw meat or fight some diseases!
The strange thing to think about is as we continue to evolve, eventually humans will no longer have an appendix. But as it can swell and be painful with appendicitis, or even burst and kill people if they do not get to hospital, I think that’s a good thing 🙂
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Nick Wright answered on 21 Mar 2014:
Good question! We’re really not sure at the moment, so this is an area that’s scientists are researching at the moment to try and understand it.
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