Final answer:
The dental formula for the family of Hominidae involves small front teeth with large molars, suggesting adaptations for a diet of coarse or tough plant material. The typical human dental formula is 2.1.2.3 for one half of the upper and lower jaws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dental formula for the family of Hominidae, which includes modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, is characterized by small front teeth (incisors and canines) with relatively large molars. This is consistent across the hominids, although there is some variability among species. For example, in humans (Homo sapiens), the dental formula is typically represented as 2.1.2.3, meaning there are 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars on one half of the upper and lower jaws. Hominids tend to possess:
- Small jaws and teeth compared to other primates
- Heterodont dentition, meaning different types of teeth that are specialized for different functions
- A generally larger third molar, especially in australopithecines and some early Homo species
- Adaptations such as bipedalism and humanlike feet with arches and ankles
The evolutionary significance of the large molar teeth is often associated with dietary adaptations to process coarse or tough plant material which may have been a part of the dietary regimen of early hominids.