egg tooth
Definition
An egg tooth is a temporary, pointed projection on the beak of some baby birds that helps them to break out of their eggshell. The egg tooth is usually located on the tip of the upper beak and is made of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails.
The egg tooth develops in the embryo during the last few days before hatching. When the chick is ready to hatch, it uses the egg tooth to scrape and chip away at the eggshell until it makes a hole large enough to escape.
The egg tooth falls off shortly after the chick hatches. The chick then uses its beak to peck for food and to defend itself from predators.
The egg tooth is a remarkable adaptation that helps baby birds to survive. Without the egg tooth, many chicks would not be able to hatch and would die.
How can the word be used?
The egg tooth is usually shed shortly after hatching.
Different forms of the word
Noun: egg tooth, caruncle, egg apex.
The egg tooth is a small, pointed projection on the beak of some birds that helps them to break out of their eggshell. It is usually shed shortly after hatching.
Adjective: egg-toothed, carunculated.
The word "egg tooth" can be used in a number of ways, depending on the context. Here are a few examples:
Etymology
The word "egg tooth" comes from the Old English word ægþyssa, which means "egg-beak". It is made up of the two Old English words æg (egg) and þyssa (beak).
Question
What is the egg tooth used for?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the concept of an "egg tooth" and its significance in the hatching process of certain animals. Describe the structure and purpose of the egg tooth and how it aids the newborn in breaking through the eggshell. Provide examples of animal species that possess an egg tooth and how this adaptation enhances their survival during the early stages of life.
Answer:
An egg tooth is a small, pointed, temporary structure found on the beaks or snouts of certain animal species during their embryonic development. It serves a crucial role in the hatching process. As the embryo inside the egg grows, it uses the egg tooth to create a small hole in the eggshell. This process is known as pipping, and it enables the newborn to breathe air and eventually break free from the egg.
Birds, reptiles (such as snakes and lizards), and some mammals (like monotremes such as the platypus) are examples of animals that possess an egg tooth. This adaptation enhances their survival during the early stages of life, as it allows them to escape the confines of the eggshell and begin their independent existence outside. The egg tooth is typically absorbed or falls off shortly after hatching, no longer being needed once the young animal is free and capable of fending for itself.