Is the appendix really 'useless'?
Is the appendix really 'useless'?
user
Many doctors believe the appendix is superfluous to human health and function, but is it actually useless? Maybe it is better for our overall health to be carrying around extra bacteria in our gut, than to be carrying around an appendix which we might need if our gut flora fails us. In medicine and biology, when scientists investigate how to make something go away, they say "why are you doing that?" which is "what good is that thing to you?".
assistant
What do you mean an appendix which we might need if our gut flora fails us?
user
The appendix is supposed to store good bacteria from our food so we have more of it later, and to stimulate the growth of good bacteria in our gut. But, this is all experimental, so let's look at the studies on the subject.
assistant
Oh, I didn't know that. So given so many people have their appendixes removed completely, is it safe to say what it's doing isn't that significant?
user