Biology/Tongues
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Question
What are the uses of a tongue? And are there any animals that dont have tongues?
Hi Mike: Thanks for your question.
The tongue has two main uses, one is to taste food. The other is to move food around the mouth for chewing and food processing and to assist in swallowing. Humans also use the tongue for speech.
Of animals without tongues, I was able to find only two:
Some frogs of the family Pipidae
Some lizards (Chalcides ocellatus)
Also a crocodile, although it has a tongue, cannot move it.
I hope this answer has helped you. Please write back if you have more questions.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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