Closer look at the teeth

Question 1

what are incisors? function?

Answer 1

sharp teeth at the front of mouth
primary function- cut food

Question 2

what are canines? function?

Answer 2

pointed, but less sharp

primary function- tearing and ripping into food like meat and crunchy veggies

Question 3

what are premolars? function?

Answer 3

sit between canine and molars

primary function- tear, crush and grind food into smaller pieces

Question 4

what are molars? function?

Answer 4

back of mouth

primary function- chew food and grind it up

Question 5

teeth of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores differ in their ____ details, and these adaptations equip the animal to cope with its _____ _____

Answer 5

structures, specialised diet

Question 6

omnivores have all _ types of teeth present and the teeth do/do not show great variation in ___ and shape

Answer 6

4, do NOT, size

Question 7

what are herbivore teeth specialised for eating?

Answer 7

plant matter

Question 8

plant matter is often difficult to break down, thus the ____ are flatter; incisors are ___ for tearing plants but may be absent in upper and lower jaw; canine teeth are ____, and instead there is a gap called the ____ that separates chewed and unchewed food

Answer 8

molars, sharper, absent, diastema

Question 9

carnivores will kill their prey before eating it, thus they will have sharp ____ and pointed ____ that are designed for incapacitating and eating its prey. some carnivores have a _____ cheek, which helps slice and shear meat; carnivores have ___ molars

Answer 9

incisors, canines, carnassial, no

Question 10

insectivores (type of carnivore) have adapted teeth to pierce and penetrate cuticles of prey via what type of teeth?

Answer 10

incisors (cutting)