An herbivore cannot feed on a piece of meat because it has no

Analyze the question

The question asks why an herbivore cannot feed on meat. The answer is about which tooth type herbivores lack, and which tooth type is specialized for handling meat.

Explain the concept

Teeth are adapted to diet (heterodont dentition):

• Incisors: cutting and biting. Herbivores have them (for cropping grass).
• Canines: pointed teeth for piercing and tearing flesh. They are well developed in carnivores, but reduced or absent in herbivores such as cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits.
• Premolars and molars: broad, ridged teeth for grinding and chewing. Herbivores have these well developed for grinding plant material.

Solution

• A. Incisors: herbivores have incisors, so this is not the missing tooth.
• B. Canines to tear the meat: herbivores have no canines, or only very small ones. Tearing flesh is the canine's main job, so this fits.
• C. Premolars: herbivores have large premolars for grinding, so they are present.
• D. Molars: herbivores have broad molars, so they are present.

The tooth herbivores lack, and the one meat feeding requires, is the canine.

Tip: Remember "Canine = Carnivore's Cutter/tearer." If a question asks what an herbivore lacks, think canines. If it asks what a carnivore lacks, think of broad grinding molars (carnivores have carnassial teeth instead).