DOL Animal Teeth 10-22-24

1. Some animals, such as lions, have pointed teeth, while others, like cows have flat teeth. The difference in the shape of these animals' teeth is most likely because___________________________________.

• the type of organisms the animals consume
• the sounds the animals make
• the habitat the animals live in
• the type of predators the animals have

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

2. What is a common dental adaptation seen in herbivores for efficiently processing plant material?

• Sharp canines for tearing
• Broad molars for grinding
• Continuously growing incisors
• Elongated premolars for shearing

3. What is a common adaptation of carnivores' teeth for capturing and tearing prey?

• Broad molars for grinding
• Elongated canines for puncturing
• Continuously growing incisors
• Flat, broad incisors for cropping vegetation

4. Part A Observe the skull, what kind of consumer is it grouped into?

• Herbivore
• Carnivore
• Omnivore

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

#4 Part B Compare the function of the front teeth to the back teeth adaptations in the skull.

Answer explanation

Front teeth are adapted for cutting and shearing food, while back teeth are designed for grinding and crushing. This specialization allows for efficient processing of different food types, aiding in digestion.

5. Part A Which type of teeth in carnivores is specifically adapted for gripping and tearing meat?

• Incisors
• Canines
• Molars
• Premolars

#5 Part B Horses, being herbivores, have large, flat molars with broad surfaces for grinding fibrous plant material. Their incisors are adapted for cropping vegetation. In contrast, cats, as carnivores, have sharp, pointed canines for gripping and tearing flesh. Their molars have sharp cusps for shearing meat from bones. These adaptations reflect the specialized functions needed for processing different types of food—grinding tough plant material in horses and tearing meat in cats. Compare at least one specific adaptations of each species' teeth and explain how these adaptations relate to their dietary habits.

Answer explanation

Horses have broad molars for grinding tough plant material, while cats possess sharp canines for tearing flesh. These adaptations are crucial for their diets: horses need to process fibrous plants, and cats require tools for hunting and consuming meat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2