Instead of teeth, what do some whales use to eat plankton?

Question

Here is the question : INSTEAD OF TEETH, WHAT DO SOME WHALES USE TO EAT PLANKTON?

Option

Here is the option for the question :

  • Beaks
  • Baleen
  • Tusks
  • Sticky tongues

The Answer:

And, the answer for the the question is :

Baleen

Explanation:

In place of teeth, the baleen of fourteen different whale species acts as a filter, removing plankton and krill from the surrounding ocean water. Baleen is composed of keratin, the same protein that makes up human fingernails and hair. Several different kinds of baleen whales have necks that are accordion-like, which enables them to take in enormous mouthfuls of food and water at once.

Instead of teeth, what do some whales use to eat plankton?
Baleen is a specialized filtering system found in some species of whales that allows them to eat plankton and other small organisms. Unlike toothed whales, which have teeth to capture and chew their food, baleen whales use rows of fringed plates made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and nails.

Baleen is found in the mouths of several species of whales, including the humpback, blue, and gray whales. These whales are filter feeders, meaning they take in large quantities of water and filter out small organisms, such as krill and plankton, which they then swallow.

The baleen plates are arranged in rows in the whale’s mouth, and are supported by a framework of bones and muscles. To feed, the whale opens its mouth wide and takes in a large quantity of water, along with the small organisms it contains. The whale then pushes the water out through the baleen plates, which act like a sieve, trapping the small organisms and allowing the water to pass through.

Once the small organisms are trapped in the baleen, the whale uses its tongue to push them back towards its throat, where they are swallowed. The process of filtering and swallowing can take several seconds, and a single mouthful of water can contain thousands of small organisms.

Baleen is a highly specialized adaptation that allows baleen whales to feed efficiently on the small organisms that make up the bulk of their diet. It is a remarkable example of the adaptability of marine mammals, and has allowed baleen whales to thrive in a variety of ocean environments.

baleen whales face a number of threats from human activity, including pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Many species of baleen whales are now endangered, and efforts are underway to protect them and ensure their survival for future generations.

baleen is a specialized filtering system found in some species of whales, including the humpback, blue, and gray whales. It allows these whales to feed efficiently on small organisms, such as plankton and krill, and is a remarkable example of the adaptability of marine mammals. Baleen whales face a number of threats from human activity, and efforts are underway to protect them and ensure their survival for future generations.