“Thus, we can boldly counteract the hypothesis that the appendix is a vestigial organ with little adaptive value or function in the body.
The reason it still exists – and occasionally has to be removed due to potentially fatal inflammation and rupturing – is that it’s too ‘evolutionarily expensive’ to get rid of altogether. There’s little evolutionary pressure to lose such a significant part of the body.
In other words, the amount of effort it would take for the human species to gradually lose the appendix though thousands of years of evolution is just not worth it, because in the majority of people, it just sits there not hurting anyone.
But what if it’s doing more than just sitting there?
Is it not obvious that the somewhat lowly appendix may have a purpose after all?
New research suggests that the once thought vestigial organ is a store for good bacteria in the gut.
- The appendix is a store house for beneficial bacteria.
- The good bacteria produced or stored in the appendix helps the gut recover from infections.
- The human appendix is also involved in the maturation of specific lymphocytes called B-cells.
- B-cells produces antibodies that attack invading bacteria,viruses and toxins.
- Appendix is also invloved in the production of certain molecules that helps direct the movement of lymphocytes to various other locations in the body.
- A type of antibody called immunoglobulin A (igA) is produced in the appendix.
- The antibody plays an important role in mucosal immunity.
The above mentione functions of the appendix are not ones anybody can afford to give up easily.
Irrespective of that,it is advise able that once inflammation of the apendix (Appendicitis)occurs urgent medical attention should be provided to avoid complications.
Very interesting! I did not know this. Thanks for sharing!
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Wow, this was so informative! I never really thought about its purpose but your post gave me some great insight:)
The purpose is a very wonderful one.
Wow, this was so informative! I never really thought about its purpose but your post gave me some great insight:)
The purpose is a very wonderful one.
How Interesting, I always wondered about why we haven’t outgrown them yet.
How Interesting, I always wondered about why we haven’t outgrown them yet.
We have not outgrown them because of their importance
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Thanks for sharing this invaluable information. I’m happy to imbibe this.
Thanks for sharing this invaluable information. I’m happy to imbibe this.
Thank you for reading through