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Vestigial Structures, a Byproduct of Evolution

Vestigial Structures, a Byproduct of Evolution

Q Have you ever wondered why we are the way we are? For example, Why do we only have 5 fingers? Why not 6? Or why not 4? The theory of evolution sets out to explain or answer many of these questions. When we think of the evolution of species we typically imagine new traits or structural features. But Evolution also means the elimination or reduction of traits that are no longer useful. Watch the following video and: 1. predict which human trait or structural feature that will be eliminated or reduced over time.(3pts) 2. why you think this trait will be gone or reduced.(2pts) *Comment on another students post is optional

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I think with time the startle reflex in babies will disappear. "The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, refers to an involuntary motor response that infants develop shortly after birth. A Moro reflex may involve the infant suddenly splaying their arms and moving their legs before bringing their arms in front of their body." Because babies are so tight in the womb the last few weeks before they are born, the Moro reflex makes the babies do sudden movements because they feel that "emptiness of space" when they are in their crib or being held. That's why when babies are born they swaddle them. Being swaddled mimics the tightness they felt in the mothers womb.