The big idea: Teeth reveal diet. By comparing the skulls of living and extinct members of the Hominidae, we can deduce whether each was an omnivore or a herbivore.
The points to remember
- Herbivore features: large, flat premolars and molars, thick enamel, big jaw, a sagittal crest for large chewing muscles.
- Omnivore features: smaller molars and a mix of tooth types for plants and meat.
- Paranthropus robustus: herbivore. Homo sapiens and Homo floresiensis: omnivores.
- Theories from living mammals let us deduce the diet of extinct species.
Remember it as: Big flat grinders = plants; smaller mixed teeth = mixed diet.
Real example: Paranthropus robustus. Skulls of Paranthropus robustus, about 1 to 2 million years old, come from cave sites in South Africa; their huge, thick-enamelled molars point to a diet of tough plant food.
Trap: Name the feature and link it to what it does with the food: 'large molars' alone is not enough; 'large, flat molars that grind tough plants' is.
Free preview
This is the free notes preview
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it with your first topic free to keep:
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start Studying Free Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
How it is asked: Expect skull or teeth features to interpret, a comparison of an omnivore and a herbivore, or how the diet of an extinct species can be deduced.
IB-style questionDeduce[3 marks]
A fossil hominin skull has very large, flat molars with thick enamel, a heavy jaw and a sagittal crest. Deduce its diet, giving reasons.
Model answer plan
See the answer broken into clear points, with guidance on how each point earns marks.