Question

Which teeth of humans are shovel-shaped and used for nibbling, cutting and tearing?
A) Canines
B) Premolars
C) Molars
D) Incisors

Answer 1

The human babies have generally 20 teeths and a human adult has 32 teeths. Teeth are classified as incisors, canines, molars and premolars. Teeth help in cutting food items, crushing them and prepare them for swallowing and digesting.

Complete answer :

Canines : Canines teeths lie next to the incisors.There are the four canines in total that are present in the adult human.Two of the canines lie in the maxillary arch and other two canines lie in the mandibular area. Canines are the pointed shovel-shaped teeths.They have the longest root of any tooth.Their function is to nibble, cut and tear food.
Incisors : The four front teeths that are present in the upper and lower jaws are called the incisors.The function of the incisors is to cut food.The two incisors on either side of the midline are called the central incisors.And the two incisors that are present adjacently to the central incisors are called as the lateral incisors.Incisors have a single root and a sharp incisal edge.
Premolars : Premolars are located behind and adjacent to the canines.The function of premolars is to crush food.There are eight premolars in the oral cavity of an adult human.The one tooth that is present closest to the midline is the first premolar and the one tooth that is farthest from the midline is called the second premolar.The maxillary first two premolar teeths have two roots and the remaining premolars have a single root.There are no premolars in human babies.
Molars : The most posterior teeth are called molars.Molars have broader and flatter surfaces with 4-5 cusps.The function of molars is to grind food.The molars that are present in the mandible have 2 roots.
Maxillary molars have 3 roots.There are 12 molars present in the oral cavity of adult humans.The human baby contains only 8 molars.
Therefore, it has been clear from the above discussion that canines are the teeth of humans that are shovel-shaped and used for nibbling, cutting and tearing.

Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Note: Teeth are the hardest substances present in the body of the human. The hardest white outer part of the teeth is called enamel. Enamel is made up of calcium phosphate. A layer that underlines the enamel is called dentin. The softer living inner structure of teeth is called pulp. A layer of connective tissue which binds the roots of teeth to the gums and jawbone is called cementum.