Science: Real-life "Alien" jaws

Grab your headphones and find out who the real-life Jaws is!

Listen carefully to the lesson and answer the questions that follow.

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Real-life "Alien" Jaws

Multiple Choice

Where are the pharyngeal jaws located?

• At the tip of the mouth

• In the gills

• On the tongue

• In the throat (pharynx)

Multiple Choice

The pharyngeal jaws originated from what other feature of fish anatomy?

• The oral jaws

• The vertebrae

• The gill arches

• The rib cage

Multiple Choice

Pharyngeal jaws used for grinding plant material have teeth of what shape?

• Flat and molar like

• Pointed and Fang like

• Serrated and knife like

• Thin and comb like

Multiple Choice

How are some pharyngeal jaws strong enough to crush hard-shelled prey?

• The teeth are made of harder minerals which won’t break as easily

• The jaw bones are thicker and sturdier and can withstand strong biting force

• The jaw bones are fused to the skull instead of suspended in muscle

• The jaw muscles are larger and made of stronger fibers

Open Ended

Pharyngeal jaws are found in fish but not in most other animals. What is unique about fish that make the pharyngeal jaws so helpful in feeding?