BIO2242 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Abomasum, Omasum, Cecum
Document Summary
Mammalian teeth became differentiated to perform specialized functions such as cutting, seizing, gnawing, tearing, grinding, and chewing. Teeth differentiated in this manner are called heterodont. Unlike most other vertebrates, mammals do not continuously replace their teeth throughout their lives. Most mammals grow just teo sets of teeth: a temporary set, called deciduous, or milk, teeth, which is replaced by a permanent set when the skull has grown large enough to accommodate a full set. Only incisors, canines, and premolars are deciduous; molars are never replaced and the single permanent set must last a lifetime. The feeding, or trophic, apparatus of a mammal teeth and jaws, tongue, and digestive tract is adapted to its particular feeding habits. Insectivorous mammals, such as shrews, moles, anteaters, and most bats, are usually small. They feed on insects, as well as a variety of other small invertebrates. Insectivores eat little fibrous vegetable matter that requires prolonged fermentation, so their intestinal tract tends to be short.