Final answer:
Dental characteristics in primates include incisors for cutting, canines for tearing, premolars for crushing, and molars for grinding food. Mammals typically have two sets of teeth in their lifetime, adapted to their specific dietary needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primates, including humans, have evolved dental characteristics adapted to their varied diets. The four main types of teeth are:
- Incisors - Flat-edged teeth at the front of the mouth used for cutting food into bite-sized pieces.
- Canines - Pointed teeth located next to incisors used for tearing food, particularly in species with meat-based diets.
- Premolars - Teeth located between canines and molars, with a flat surface on top for crushing food.
- Molars - The largest teeth at the back of the mouth, used for grinding food, which aids in digestion.
Mammals, in general, are diphyodonts, meaning they have two sets of these teeth throughout their lifespan - the deciduous and permanent teeth. The shape and size of these teeth vary among different primate species depending on their diets, which can range from herbivorous to carnivorous to omnivorous.