4. The images below show the skeleton of a monkey and the vertebrae or backbone of a human. At the end
of the monkey backbone are tailbones. At the end of the human backbone is a single bone called the
coccyx. What type of structure is the coccyx and what does it indicate about the relationship between
monkeys and humans?
(1 point)
analogous structure; indicates that monkeys and humans evolved to have tailbones with similar functions
mutation; indicates that through mutation, monkeys were able to develop tails while humans could not
embryonic structure; indicates that monkeys and humans go through similar embryonic changes
vestigial structure; indicates that monkeys and humans shared a common ancestor that had a tail***
Agree.
The Tailbone: Grandpa didn't have a tail, but if you go back far enough in the family tree, your ancestors did. Other mammals find their tails useful for balance, but when humans learned to walk, the tail because useless and evolution converted it to just some fused vertebrae we call a coccyx.
You are correct
oop
The correct answer is "vestigial structure; indicates that monkeys and humans shared a common ancestor that had a tail."
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the definitions of the given options and make logical deductions based on the information provided.
1. Analogous structure: This refers to structures in different species that have the same function but evolved independently. In this case, the monkey's tailbone and the human coccyx cannot be considered analogous because they do not serve the same function.
2. Mutation: Mutation refers to a change in DNA sequence that can lead to variation within a species. However, the presence of a tailbone in monkeys and a coccyx in humans is not a result of mutation but rather a result of shared ancestry.
3. Embryonic structure: This refers to developmental similarities observed in embryos of different species. While it is true that monkeys and humans go through similar embryonic changes, it doesn't directly indicate the purpose or significance of the tailbone or coccyx.
4. Vestigial structure: A vestigial structure is a remnant of a structure that was functional in an organism's ancestors but is no longer functional in the organism itself. This option correctly states that the presence of the coccyx (tailbone) in humans is a vestigial structure, indicating that humans and monkeys share a common ancestor that had a functional tail.
So, by logical deduction and understanding the definitions, we can conclude that the coccyx is a vestigial structure, indicating that monkeys and humans shared a common ancestor that had a tail.