Evolutionary adaptations of digestive system that correlate with diet

Question 1

Dental adaptations

Answer 1

Teeth shapes reflect diet of organisms

Question 2

Example of dental adaptations

Answer 2

1. Carnivores have sharp teeth to rip apart meat

2. Teeth of a poisonous snake are modified as fangs for injecting venom

Question 3

Stomach and intestinal adaptations

Answer 3

• Carnviores have large expandable stomachs
• Herbivores and omnivores generally have longer alimentary canals reflecting the longer time needed to digest vegetation

Question 4

Mutualistic adaptations

Answer 4

Coexistance of humans and many bacteria involves mutualistic symbiosis
-Some intestinal bacteria produce vitamins and regulate the development of the intestinal epithelium and the function of the innate immune system

Question 5

Mutulaistic adaptations in herbivores

Answer 5

• Have fermentation chambers where mutualistic microorganisms digest cellulose
• Most elaborate adaptations for a herbivores diet have evolved in animals called ruminants