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vestigial organs
vestigial organs Atrophied or non-functional organs that are well developed and fully functional in other members of the group. They result from the adoption of a way of life in which the organs are no longer required (e.g. rudimentary pelvic bones are found in some whales, but are no longer required, since whales have no hind limbs as such). Such features are difficult to reconcile with the concept of special creation. See excess baggage hypothesis.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-vestigialorgans.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-vestigialorgans.html |
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vestigial organs
vestigial organs Atrophied or nonfunctional organs that are well developed and fully functional in other members of the group. They result from the adoption of a way of life in which the organs are no longer required (e.g. rudimentary pelvic bones are found in some whales, but are no longer required since whales have no hind limbs as such). Such features are difficult to reconcile with the concept of special creation.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-vestigialorgans.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "vestigial organs." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-vestigialorgans.html |
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vestigial organ
vestigial organ Any part of an organism that has diminished in size during its evolution because the function it served decreased in importance or became totally unnecessary. Examples are the human appendix and the wings of the ostrich.
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Cite this article
"vestigial organ." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "vestigial organ." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-vestigialorgan.html "vestigial organ." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-vestigialorgan.html |
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