Mutation in genes has increased the number of taste buds in their tongue but have made them blind. A good example is the degraded eyes of blind fish and salamanders.

It should be mentioned that gene mutation which can result in a change in protein structures can also give rise to vestigial organs.

The transition will take place over many generations and the trait may also be eliminated through genetic drift and other random events. If a function of a trait is no longer beneficial for the survival of an organism, the chances of its future offspring inheriting the trait’s normal form would be lower. The existence of vestigial traits can be attributed to changes in the environment or behavior patterns of an organism. These organs are generally homologous to organs that function normally in other species, which is why they can be considered as evidence of evolution. These organs take a long time to be phased out and eliminating them may require major alterations which can have negative effects on the body. These structures can become detrimental but in most cases they are harmless. They have no apparent function and are residual parts from an ancestor. Some of the examples of vestigial organs are wisdom teeth in humans, dewclaws in dogs, wings of a female cockroach, etc.

Vestigial organs are proof that all living organisms have evolved over time and are also helpful in explaining adaptation. Vestigial organs could be defined as organs or parts of human, plant, and animal bodies that do not have any clear function and are considered to be residual parts from their respective ancestors.

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