I 82- Task 4 Worksheet on a Special Related Questions
Refers to the Special Human Body – related questions posted in the room and online. The special question I have chosen to answer is why we have an appendix.
This question is mostly related to the digestive system. Here are the results of my research:
The appendix is pretty useless to humans of today, but our ancestors might have needed it for their survival. The appendix in animals and humans are different sizes but served the same purpose about 500,000 years ago. Its 2 main purposes were to help digest raw meat that we ate and to support the immune system. The first main purpose was to digest raw meat by enhancing the immune system. But then, humans got into the habit of cooking food. The appendix was no longer needed after this. According to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the body slowly evolved so that the appendix was no longer needed as much for digestion but more so for the immune system. This brings us to the second main purpose of the appendix: immune system enhancement. During childhood, the appendix assists in the maturing of B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and the making of IgA (immunoglobulin A) antibodies. Lymphoid tissues begin to grow in the appendix shortly after birth: and peaks between the ages of 20-30 then decreasing rapidly. So rapidly that it virtually seems to stop after the age of 60. In conclusion, the appendix no longer has as much use for the body as it did for our ancestors.
Refers to the Special Human Body – related questions posted in the room and online. The special question I have chosen to answer is why we have an appendix.
This question is mostly related to the digestive system. Here are the results of my research:
The appendix is pretty useless to humans of today, but our ancestors might have needed it for their survival. The appendix in animals and humans are different sizes but served the same purpose about 500,000 years ago. Its 2 main purposes were to help digest raw meat that we ate and to support the immune system. The first main purpose was to digest raw meat by enhancing the immune system. But then, humans got into the habit of cooking food. The appendix was no longer needed after this. According to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the body slowly evolved so that the appendix was no longer needed as much for digestion but more so for the immune system. This brings us to the second main purpose of the appendix: immune system enhancement. During childhood, the appendix assists in the maturing of B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and the making of IgA (immunoglobulin A) antibodies. Lymphoid tissues begin to grow in the appendix shortly after birth: and peaks between the ages of 20-30 then decreasing rapidly. So rapidly that it virtually seems to stop after the age of 60. In conclusion, the appendix no longer has as much use for the body as it did for our ancestors.