Mechanical Digestion
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE
BIOLOGY 0610
MRS ALAA ABBAS
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Teeth:
The function of teeth is to help with ingestion and mechanical digestion of food.
They work on cutting, chopping, crushing and grinding of food giving it a larger surface area for
enzymes to work. At the same time it gives small soluble molecules the chance to dissolve in
water.
The process of mechanical digestion mainly occurs in the mouth by means of the teeth, through
a process called mastication.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Structure of a tooth
The tooth is made up of two main parts:
1. The root: the part embedded in the gum. It is covered with cement that contains
fibers that attach the tooth to the jawbone. They allow the tooth to move slightly
when biting or chewing
2. The crown: the visible part of the tooth that consists of:
a. The enamel: the outer part of the crown. It is the hardest substance made by
animals. However, it can be dissolved by acids. When bacteria feed on food
remains in the mouth they produce acids that cause tooth decay.
b. The dentine: the layer beneath the enamel. It is like bone, hard but not as much as
the enamel. It has channels in it that contain living cytoplasm
c. Pulp cavity: it is in the middle of the tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels
that supply the cytoplasm in the dentine with food and oxygen
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Types of teeth
Most mammals have four types of teeth:
1. Incisors: sharp-edged, chisel-shaped, at the front of the mouth. Used for
biting off pieces of food.
2. Canines: pointed teeth at either side of the incisors
3. Premolars: are towards the back of the mouth, have wide surfaces,
used for grinding
4. Molars: at the back of the mouth, have wide surfaces and are used for
grinding
(Molars and premolars have roots that are divided into two)
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
In humans the molars at the very back of the mouth are called wisdom teeth. They do not grow
until much later in a person’s development.
Mammals have two sets of teeth.
The first one called milk teeth grows at the age of 5 months. It reaches a set of 20 teeth by the
age of 24-30 months.
Milk teeth start to fall off by the age of 7 years and get replaced by another set which is
permanent.
Another 12 teeth are added to them to complete the human teeth to 32 teeth.
This is mostly completed by the age of 17 years.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Dental decay
There are large numbers of bacteria living in the mouth, most of which are harmless.
However, some of these bacteria, along with some substances in the saliva form a sticky film
over the teeth and between them called plaque.
When first formed, plaque is soft and easy to remove, but when left, it hardens to form tartar
which cannot be removed by ordinary brushing.
If not removed, the bacteria in plaque can infect the gum causing it to bleed, swell and bleed
while brushing.
This is not painful but it allows the bacteria to spread down around the root making it loose.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Tooth decay
If sugar is left on the teeth, bacteria use it for respiration which produces acid.
The acid dissolves the enamel and then the dentine, which much easier, and then the tooth will have to
be removed.
How to avoid tooth decay
1. Don’t eat too much sugar. Twice a day at most, preferably with the meals. Never keep chewing or
sucking sweets all day long.
2. Use fluoride toothpaste regularly and drink water that contains fluoride because fluoride makes the
teeth more resistant to decay.
3. Regular dental visits. This helps stopping gum diseases and decay early.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN
Write your notes on:
•Define mastication and chewing.
Identify the types of human teeth
• Describe the structure of human teeth
• Describe the functions of the types of human teeth in mechanical digestion of food
• State the causes of dental decay .
• Describe the proper care of teeth.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE BIOLOGY 0610 MRS ABEER TAGELDIN