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10 September, 2010, 10:00:24 PM


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Author Topic: Is the appendix really left over from when we were herbivores?  (Read 79 times)
Hiheels
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« on: 08 March, 2010, 01:56:39 PM »

Sparked by Duff's kidney Q, I'd heard that the appendix secreted something that helped with the digestion of flora (not the sunflower spread) - is it true?
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« Reply #1 on: 10 March, 2010, 08:20:23 PM »

Sparked by Duff's kidney Q, I'd heard that the appendix secreted something that helped with the digestion of flora (not the sunflower spread) - is it true?

I don't think it actually secreted anything.
It was typically filled with bacteria which was supposed to help digest the cellulose in plant cell walls.

Quite a few people are born without an appendix.  And those who have them removed later don't really notice any difference.

Rabbits have a relatively large appendix due to their diet being mainly grass.


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