Home > Science Fact Finder > The Human Body - What Is The Likely Purpose Of The Human Appendix?

1. Printable Version
2. Download PDF
3. Cite this Page

What is the likely purpose of the human appendix?

The purpose of the human appendix is something of a physiological mystery; however, several possible answers have been suggested. One theory states that the human appendix may have once served the same purpose it does in present-day herbivores (plant-eating animals)—to harbor colonies of bacteria that help in the digestion of cellulose in plant material.

Another theory suggests that the human appendix—as well as the tonsils, the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow—manufacture the antibody-producing white blood cells called B-lymphocytes.

A third theory is that the appendix may "attract" infections within the body. In that way, infections become localized in one organ that is not critical to body function.

Sources: Barnard, Christiaan. The Body Machine, p. 127; Feldman, David. Do Penguins Have Knees? pp. 152-53; The...

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

1. Characteristics And Functions
   1. What chemical elements are found within the human body?
   2. What is the normal pH of blood, urine, and saliva?
   3. How hard does the heart work?
   4. How does the body introduce oxygen to the blood and where does this happen?
   5. How does the immune system work?
   6. How much blood is in the average human body?
   7. What are the seven endocrine glands?
   8. How many cells are in the human body?
   9. How many miles of blood vessels are contained in the body?
   10. How many chromosomes are there in a human body cell?
   11. How long does it take food to digest?
   12. What causes people to sweat when they eat spicy foods?
   13. How much heat is lost through the head when a person is not wearing a hat?
   14. What regulates body temperature in humans?
   15. In the United States, what is the average height and weight for a man and a woman?
   16. What percent of human body weight is water?
   17. What are considered healthy weights for men and women?
   18. Who is the heaviest person that ever lived?
2. Parts Of The Body
   1. How many muscles are in the human body?
   2. Who is the world's oldest person?
   3. Why does excessive exercise cause muscles to become stiff and sore?
   4. What is the purpose of goose bumps?
   5. How many bones are in the human body?
   6. What is the likely purpose of the human appendix?
   7. What is the funny bone?
   8. What is the basic unit of the brain?
   9. How much skin does an average person have?
   10. In addition to left- or right-handedness, what other left or right preferences do people have?
   11. How many hairs are on an average person's head?
   12. Who first used fingerprints as a means of identification?
3. Senses And Sleep
   1. What is the difference in the functions of the rods and cones found in the eyes?
   2. What is the length of the human intestine?
   3. Are more people nearsighted or farsighted?
   4. What does it mean to have 20/20 vision?
   5. How often does the human eye blink?
   6. Why do eyes tear when we work with onions?
   7. What are the primary sensations of taste?
   8. What is REM sleep?
   9. How many calories does a person bum while sleeping?
   10. Why do people snore and how loud can snoring be?