How metal-infused jaws give some ants an exceptionally sharp bite
Body parts reinforced with zinc and manganese make impossible cuts possible, a study suggests
![a leaf-cutting ant, with sharp mandibles visible](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/090721_jb_metal-mandibles_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Leaf-cutting ants (Atta cephalotes) have jaws lined with “teeth” kept razor sharp by interspersing zinc atoms among proteins.
Ryan Garrett