NEETZoologyEvolution
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The vermiform appendix in humans is classified as a vestigial organ and not as an example of atavism. Reason (R): Vestigial organs are reduced, non-functional remnants present in all individuals of a species, whereas atavism is the rare reappearance of a lost ancestral trait. In the light of the ab
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) correctly explains (A). The vermiform appendix is a vestigial organ in humans because it is a reduced and non-functional structure that is universally present in the human population, though it was functional in our herbivorous ancestors. It is not considered atavism because atavism involves the sudden and rare reappearance of a trait that had completely disappeared in the immediate ancestors (such as the birth of a baby with a short tail). Therefore, the definiti