CHAPTER 4:: TEETH EVERYWHERE

Q. Where did teeth originate from?

- The importance of teeth has been outlined in this chapter. Being one of the hardest structues of an organism (due to hydroxyapatite enamel), teeth prove to be a perfect fossil material. Characteristics of an animal can be found by studying the structure of its tooth. For example, its diet, its prey and even its predators as well its chewing patterns. By observing the teeth of a tritheledont, we can see a link between reptiles and mammals. A mammal’s teeth fit together when bitten down, while that of a reptile's do not. The tritheledont’s teeth were in between; the inner surface of the upper teeth slid against the outside of the bottom teeth like scissors.

- Humans have specialized teeth. Incisors for cutting, canines for holding and molars for grinding. The entire order of carnivores is defined by four teeth called carnassials. Ifan organism posses those kind of teeth, they are a member of the carnivore family.

- Teeth help constitue scales, feathers, and breasts possible by the revolutionary way they are formed inside developing skin. They develop while the skin is still developing, through an interaction betwee two layers of tissue. Teeth were the first things that were made like this, which then was modified to make scales, feathers, breasts etc.