TABLE OF CONTENTS - National Zoo

categories by observing teeth in the skulls of animals they might see in local
habitats, including an herbivore (beaver), carnivore (fox), and omnivore (raccoon).
The final section allows the students to become scientists/investigators. There will
be several unknown skulls that the students have an opportunity to investigate.
They will collect data on each skull (including skull measurements, tooth structure
and counts) and they will develop hypotheses about what each animal might eat and
why. They will test their hypothesis by attempting to identify the species through a
comparison of their data to information found in a CRC Mammal Identification Guide.
Finally, the class will reconvene to review important concepts learned during the
exercise.
Classroom Procedure:
Orientation to project:
1. Introduce CRC and its conservation breeding and research programs.
2. Define the terms “diet” and “dentition”.
Section One: Identify structure and function of human teeth
This presentation provides an introduction to the students’ own diet and dentition.
1. Students identify the types of teeth by comparing their own teeth (observed in a
mirror) to the diagram of a mouth found on page one of the student booklet.
• Number 1 teeth have flat bottoms. They are called “incisors” and are used to
cut (like a pair of scissors or a knife) into fruits and vegetables.
• Next are the number 2 teeth, called “canines”. Note the sharp point. These
are used to tear meat, like when you tear chicken off of the bone.
• Last are the number 3 and 4 teeth called premolars and molars. Premolars and
molars have bumps (called cusps). Molars grind food using the bumps, like
when we grind up a peanut.
2. Review: Notice the teeth had three different kinds of shapes. That’s because
there are three different kinds of jobs (functions) for teeth to do:
• The incisors, or flat teeth, are cutters. They are flat like the edge of scissors
that cut, like when they cut into a sandwich or lettuce.
• The canine teeth with points are tearers. They tear food, like when you tear
chicken off of the chicken bone.
• The premolars and molars with the bumps are grinders. They grind up the
food, like when you eat peanuts.
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