It’s likely that you may know someone who has had their appendix removed, or at least you’ve heard of the operation. An appendectomy is typically performed when the appendix, a small pouch next to the intestines, becomes inflamed or infected, leading to severe pain and potential complications if left untreated. Fortunately, the procedure is very safe today, and patients can go on to live normal lives without their appendix. Yet, it still begs the question of how humans can continue living without an organ.
The human body is full of various parts that scientists still don’t completely understand, and the appendix is one of the top examples. Such organs are often referred to as vestigial, a term first coined by German biologist Robert Wiedersheim in the 1890s. He used the term to describe structures in organisms that appeared to have lost their original function but remain in the body. He identified 86 such structures, noting their diminished physiological significance.
Vestigial organs were also of great interest to Charles Darwin, the father of evolutionary theory. He was one of the first to suggest that species change through natural selection and genetic drift, although these processes still aren’t perfectly understood. There may be some vestiges that persist in species as they evolve, serving as evidence of evolutionary history.
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Darwin was intrigued by the appendix and theorized that it might have originally helped process plants eaten by early humans. Recent research suggests that the appendix may play a role in both the immune system and digestive health, though its exact function remains uncertain. A leading theory proposes that the appendix acts as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria that help fight infections or diseases that may develop in the large intestine.
有可能你認識曾經切除闌尾的人，或者你至少聽過這項手術。當闌尾（一個位於腸道旁邊的小囊袋）發炎或感染、若未經處理便可能會導致劇烈疼痛和潛在併發症時，通常就會進行闌尾切除手術。幸好，如今這項手術非常安全，且患者沒有闌尾也可以繼續過上正常的生活。然而這仍讓人想要提出一個問題：人類如何在沒有某個器官的情況下繼續生活？
人體充滿了科學家仍未完全了解的各種部位，而闌尾就是其中一個最好的例子。這樣的器官通常被稱為退化器官，vestigial（退化的）一詞是德國生物學家羅伯特．魏德斯海姆在 1890 年代首創的詞。他用這個詞來描述生物體中那些看似已經失去原本功能但仍存留在體內的結構。他發現了八十六個這樣的結構，指出其生理意義已經減弱。
退化器官也引發了演化論之父查爾斯．達爾文的極大興趣。他是最早提出物種透過物競天擇和遺傳漂變而變化的其中一人，雖然這些過程仍未完全被理解。隨著物種演化，可能會保留一些殘餘的退化痕跡，作為演化歷程的證據。
達爾文對闌尾感到興趣，並提出理論說它最初可能有助於早期人類消化所食用的植物。近期的研究顯示，闌尾可能在免疫系統和消化健康方面發揮作用，儘管其確切功能仍不得而知。一項主要理論指出，闌尾作為益菌的儲存庫，而這些細菌有助於對抗大腸中可能發生的感染或疾病。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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Words in Use
1. infected a. 受到感染的
infection n. 感染
Despite proper care, the wound became infected due to exposure to bacteria.
儘管有妥善照顧，傷口還是因為接觸到細菌而感染了。
Mia contracted a severe infection after the surgery.
蜜雅手術後患了嚴重的感染。
2. potential a. 潛在的，可能的
I took the experimental drug despite the potential risks.
儘管有潛在的風險，我還是服用了該款實驗性的藥物。
3. procedure n. 手術
The doctor will perform a procedure next week.
醫生將會在下個星期進行手術。
4. identify vt. 發現；認出
The scientist was able to identify a new species of beetle in the rainforest.
科學家在雨林中發現了一種新的甲蟲。
5. diminish vi. & vt. 減少
（本文為過去分詞作形容詞用）
The political influence of the former prime minister diminished with time.
前首相的政治影響力隨著時間而慢慢減弱。
Practical Phrases
1. beg the question（說法或情況）使人想要提出問題
All the findings beg the question of whether humans have evolved from apes.
所有的研究結果讓人想知道人類是否是由猿類演化而成。
2. A be referred to as B A 被稱為 B
Taiwan was referred to as Formosa by Portuguese sailors.
臺灣以前被葡萄牙水手稱為福爾摩沙。
3. be of great interest to... 讓……非常感興趣
This discovery is of great interest to historians.
這個發現引發歷史學家極大的興趣。
4. be intrigued by... 因……著迷
intrigue vt. 使著迷
The children were all intrigued by Roger’s stories of his adventures.
孩子們全都為羅傑的冒險故事著迷。
5. play a role in... 對……起作用∕造成影響
The president’s wife played an important role in making his political career a success.
該總統的夫人對他政治生涯的
成功有舉足輕重的影響。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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