the vestigal organs lie

Asana Bodhitharta · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:10 pm Post subject: the vestigal organs lie

What about the vestigal organs lie?

Loren G. Martin, professor of physiology at Oklahoma State University, replies:

"For years, the appendix was credited with very little physiological function. We now know, however, that the appendix serves an important role in the fetus and in young adults. Endocrine cells appear in the appendix of the human fetus at around the 11th week of development. These endocrine cells of the fetal appendix have been shown to produce various biogenic amines and peptide hormones, compounds that assist with various biological control (homeostatic) mechanisms. There had been little prior evidence of this or any other role of the appendix in animal research, because the appendix does not exist in domestic mammals.

"Among adult humans, the appendix is now thought to be involved primarily in immune functions. Lymphoid tissue begins to accumulate in the appendix shortly after birth and reaches a peak between the second and third decades of life, decreasing rapidly thereafter and practically disappearing after the age of 60. During the early years of development, however, the appendix has been shown to function as a lymphoid organ, assisting with the maturation of B lymphocytes (one variety of white blood cell) and in the production of the class of antibodies known as immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. Researchers have also shown that the appendix is involved in the production of molecules that help to direct the movement of lymphocytes to various other locations in the body.
"In this context, the function of the appendix appears to be to expose white blood cells to the wide variety of antigens, or foreign substances, present in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the appendix probably helps to suppress potentially destructive humoral (blood- and lymph-borne) antibody responses while promoting local immunity. The appendix--like the tiny structures called Peyer's patches in other areas of the gastrointestinal tract--takes up antigens from the contents of the intestines and reacts to these contents. This local immune system plays a vital role in the physiological immune response and in the control of food, drug, microbial or viral antigens. The connection between these local immune reactions and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as autoimmune reactions in which the individual's own tissues are attacked by the immune system, is currently under investigation.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:09 am Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

You don't even understand what a vestigial organ is, Asana. Perhaps you should read at least one science book before you copy and paste articles that don't even support the argument you think they support. This seems to be a pattern with you. You post material that you think helps your position, but in fact it doesn't. We're all sitting back wondering, "does this guy even realize how ridiculous he looks?"

If scientists learn that the appendix isn't what they thought it once was they aren't suddenly questioning evolutionary theory and beginning to teeter on the edge of believing in gods. And this is the crux of your argument, whether you come right out and say it or not. All this means is the body of science has grown and advanced. This is the beauty of science. Science is a perpetual process of learning.

But the appendix isn't the only known vestigial organ. Slice a whale open and you'll find a pelvis. Does the pelvis support muscles that propel or locomote the animal? No, the pelvis is no longer necessary. The whales’ land-dwelling ancestors needed it...but the modern whale could do without it. Yet it remains as evidence of the whales distant past.

I could go through one example after another, but it would be a waste of time as you'll just create a new thread and then copy and paste some more creationist nonsense. The new findings that the appendix might store immune cells doesn't help your general thesis, yet you'll sit back smugly thinking you've made some sort of point here on BookTalk.

Federika22 · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:17 am Post subject: the vestigal organs lie

I am loving this, I have to say!!

::100

Edited by: Federika22 at: 10/28/06 4:19 am

Asana Bodhitharta · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Quote:
But the appendix isn't the only known vestigial organ. Slice a whale open and you'll find a pelvis. Does the pelvis support muscles that propel or locomote the animal? No, the pelvis is no longer necessary. The whales’ land-dwelling ancestors needed it...but the modern whale could do without it. Yet it remains as evidence of the whales distant past.

The theory of evolution has caused millions of people to lose their appendix through ignorance.

I guarantee that they will find that the pelvis in whales have a purpose. In-fact let us say that if they find out this information in the next 12 months you will come to this thread and apoligize for insulting me. Deal?

By the way isn't it possible that the whale may need the pelvis for child birth purposes.(I don't know)

Saint Gasoline · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Quote:
The theory of evolution has caused millions of people to lose their appendix through ignorance.

You're thinking of appendicitis.

Quote:
I guarantee that they will find that the pelvis in whales have a purpose. In-fact let us say that if they find out this information in the next 12 months you will come to this thread and apoligize for insulting me. Deal?

If an organ is vestigial it doesn't mean that it serves absolutely no function whatsoever. It means that it doesn't serve the function for which it is optimally fit. The pelvis in whales is a good example. Generally, a pelvis is useful for walking on land, so the fact that a whale would have one would imply that its recent ancestors walked on land. The fact that they breathe air also supports this inference. On top of that, there are quite a large number of transitional fossils for whales that display this gradual evolution from aquatic species to land species.

Even though the appendix serves a function, this doesn't mean it isn't a vestigial organ. It is vestigial because it is clear from its parts that it isn't optimal for its current function and it has the properties of digestive systems found operating in other species.

But what about organs for which there is no obvious function at all? Why would moles have useless eyes that have skin growing over them? Why do we have wisdom teeth that not only often remain buried in our gums, but also cause infections quite easily?

Stop being so silly. You don't understand evolution enough to even deny it. If you're going to say something is false, you should at least know what it actually is.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Asana, you ought to read along with us. Have you considered getting a copy of Evolution vs. Creationism? Or do you already know all you need to know about that controversy?

funda62 · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:27 am Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Quote:
The theory of evolution has caused millions of people to lose their appendix through ignorance.

Um well speaking personally I "lost" mine because it was swollen, filled with puss and ready to explode and kill me.

Snakes have vestigial leg bones in their spine, humans have the vestigial bones for a tail.

Have you ever even taken a biology class?

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, prehaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

-Henry David Thoreau

Chris OConnor · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:38 am Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Today there is an article that is about this very subject...

Dolphin may have 'remains' of legs

By HIROKO TABUCHI, Associated Press Writer
Sun Nov 5, 4:09 PM ET

TOKYO - Japanese researchers said Sunday that a bottlenose dolphin captured last month has an extra set of fins that could be the remains of hind legs, a discovery that may provide further evidence that ocean-dwelling mammals once lived on land.

Fishermen captured the four-finned dolphin alive off the coast of Wakayama prefecture (state) in western Japan on Oct. 28, and alerted the nearby Taiji Whaling Museum, according to museum director Katsuki Hayashi.

Fossil remains show dolphins and whales were four-footed land animals about 50 million years ago and share the same common ancestor as hippos and deer. Scientists believe they later transitioned to an aquatic lifestyle and their hind limbs disappeared.

Whale and dolphin fetuses also show signs of hind protrusions but these generally disappear before birth.

Though odd-shaped protrusions have been found near the tails of dolphins and whales captured in the past, researchers say this was the first time one had been found with well-developed, symmetrical fins, Hayashi said.

"I believe the fins may be remains from the time when dolphins' ancient ancestors lived on land ... this is an unprecedented discovery," Seiji Osumi, an adviser at Tokyo's Institute of Cetacean Research, said at a news conference televised Sunday.

The second set of fins — much smaller than the dolphin's front fins — are about the size of human hands and protrude from near the tail on the dolphin's underside. The dolphin measures 8.92 feet and is about five years old, according to the museum.

Hayashi said he could not tell from watching the dolphin swim in a musuem tank whether it used its back fins to maneuver.

A freak mutation may have caused the ancient trait to reassert itself, Osumi said. The dolphin will be kept at the Taiji museum to undergo X-ray and DNA tests, according to Hayashi.

tarav · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Great article, Chris! I had not heard that about dolphins.

Asana Bodhitharta · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:06 am Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Quote:
Snakes have vestigial leg bones in their spine, humans have the vestigial bones for a tail.

Have you ever even taken a biology class?

Apparently you took a biology class in an irresponsible school because the Coccyx has a valuable function in humans as it aids in sitting comfortably and also helps women with childbearing now stop just agreeing with everything you read and think for your self.

Asana Bodhitharta · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:10 am Post subject: Re: the vestigal organs lie

Quote:
Um well speaking personally I "lost" mine because it was swollen, filled with puss and ready to explode and kill me.

Yes, that was because your whole system was being poisoned. The Appendix was part of immune system it had lymph tissue. Appendicitis occured from a poisoned system. If you had responded to your appendix squeezing and cleansed your system you would still have it today as without it you are a little more vulnerable to illness. I wish you well.

God Bless!


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