For generations the appendix was thought to
have no purpose. But now, researchers say
they have discovered the true function of this
organ, and it is anything but redundant.
Researchers now say that the appendix acts as
a safe house for good bacteria. The body uses
this to essentially “reboot” the digestive
system when one suffers from a bout of
dysentery or cholera.
Conventional wisdom used to claim that this
small pouch protruding from the first part of
the large intestine was simply redundant or an
evolutionary shadow of a once useful organ.
For years doctors advised people have their
appendix removed and in spite of it’s now-
apparent use, most seem none the worse for
having it removed.
Duke University Medical Centre in North
Carolina researchers say that following a
severe bout of cholera or dysentery, which can
purge the gut of bacteria essential for
digestion, the appendix acts as a reserve for
good bacteria to emerge.
In spite of the findings, Professor Bill Parker
says that this does not mean we should cling
onto our appendices at all costs.
“It’s very important for people to understand
that if their appendix gets inflamed, just
because it has a function it does not mean
they should try to keep it in,” he explained.
“So it’s sort of a fun thing that we’ve found,
but we don’t want it to cause any harm, we
don’t want people to say, ‘oh, my appendix
has a function’, so I’m not going to go to the
doctor, I’m going to try to hang onto it.”
Nicholas Vardaxis, an associate professor in
the Department of Medical Sciences at RMIT
University, says that the theory put forward by
the Duke University team makes a lot of sense.
“As an idea it’s an attractive one, that perhaps
it would be a nice place for these little bacteria
to localize in, a little cul-de-sac away from
everything else,” he weighed in.
“The thing is that if we observe what’s been
happening through evolution, the higher on
the evolutionary scale we are and the more
omnivorous animals become, then the smaller
and less important the appendix becomes and
humans are a good example of that.
“The actual normal flora bacteria within the
appendix, as well within our gut, are the same,
so we’ve lost all of those specialized bacteria.
“So it doesn’t have that safe house type of
function anymore, I don’t think.
“It’s a vestige of something that was there in
previous incarnations, if you like.”
Scientists were led to the discovery by
examining the appendices of koalas. Unlike
the short human variety, the koala is famous
for having an extremely long appendix.
This aids in their diet which is almost
exclusively made up of eucalyptus leaves.
Professor Vardaxis says that in spite of the fact
that the human appendix acts in a similar
manner to that of koalas, it is unlikely that we
will see a shrinking of the Australian
marsupial’s organ any time soon.
“Unless of course we have a massive blight
and we get the eucalypt on which the koala
thrives dying, then we may find some mutant
koalas out there perhaps that will start eating
other things, and as they start to eat other
things, then over generations and hundreds of
thousands of years of time, then surely, yes,
the koala’s appendix will shrink as well.”
Professor Vardaxis says that the human
shrinkage of the appendix was due to changes
in our diet that took place over many
thousands of years. Still, it is possible that any
species with a larger appendix now, could find
themselves in a similar situation if their diet
were to significantly change, and their
appendix began to shrink. Koalas, Vardaxis
explained, might be afflicted by appendicitis
and have to have it taken out at times, just like
humans.
Source:
politicalblindspot.com

ok

God is the greatest scientist

...no mata wat,we still consider it as a vestigial organ in d body....we dont feel its fxn dat much....especially we dont see side-effects if it s removed...

Gud to knw.....Evrytn is purposefully created

Ok

I don't have one any longer

dovelike:
I don't have one any longer

...lol..me too