Final answer:
Skeletons demonstrate increased bone strength in the bones of smaller toes, indicative of the body's response to physical stress and environmental factors. This change in bone density is part of a larger set of adaptations in the appendicular skeleton seen in evolutionary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Skeletons have shown that they had increased bone strength to the bones of smaller toes, which can be a result of physical adaptations due to their environmental and lifestyle factors. For instance, a right-handed pitcher will typically develop thicker bones in his or her right arm compared to the left due to the repetitive and strenuous use of that arm, illustrating how bones respond to stress. Similarly, a bed-ridden patient is likely to have weaker bones than an athlete because bones lose density and strength without regular weight-bearing exercise, a concept known as Wolff's Law.
Adaptations in the appendicular skeleton, such as increased bone strength or changes in bone density, also reflect evolutionary shifts. For example, as animals moved from aquatic environments to land, their skeletal systems evolved to support their weight and facilitate movement on solid ground. The bone structure of land animals developed to enable more efficient movement and energy usage while walking over land compared to the splay-legged locomotion of their aquatic ancestors.