Question

question 10 of 20
a vestigial structure is
○ a physical structure that benefits an organism in its current environment
○ a phenotypic trait currently preferred by the opposite sex of the same species
○ an adaptive structure present in two otherwise unrelated species
○ a previously beneficial structure that no longer serves an adaptive purpose

Explanation:

A vestigial structure is defined as a body part that was functional in an organism's ancestors but has lost its adaptive purpose in the current environment. The other options describe beneficial current structures, sexual selection traits, or convergent adaptations, which do not match the definition of vestigial structures.

Answer:

D. a previously beneficial structure that no longer serves an adaptive purpose