Explain why the structure in the baleen whale is a vestigial structure.
The structure in baleen whales, known as baleen plates, is considered a vestigial structure because it no longer serves its original purpose. Baleen plates were once used by their ancestors for filtering and trapping small prey, such as plankton and krill, from the water. However, modern baleen whales primarily use suction feeding to consume larger prey, such as fish and squid, and do not rely on their baleen plates for feeding.
In addition, baleen whales have evolved other adaptations, such as specialized feeding behaviors and sensory abilities, that have made their baleen plates less crucial for survival. As a result, the baleen plates in baleen whales are considered vestigial structures because they are remnants of a once-functional trait that has lost its original purpose over time.