15. Explain the structure and function of the unique stomach found in the digestive system of ruminants. Why do they need such a stomach?
Answers
Answer:
Ruminant stomachs have four compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum.
Rumen microbes ferment feed and produce volatile fatty acids, which is the cow’s main energy source. Rumen microbes also produce B vitamins, vitamin K and amino acids.
In calves, the esophageal grooves allows milk to bypass the rumen and directly enter the abomasum. Rumen development occurs following a chang
Answer:
mostly herbivore animals
Explanation:
What is a ruminant? Ruminant animals are set apart from other mammals by their complex digestive systems. The way they process food, absorb nutrients and gain energy is different from other herbivores.
The main distinction in a cow’s digestive system, or a ruminant digestive system is that the stomach has four separate compartments, each with a unique function, whereas most other animals only have a single compartment with a unified functionality.
The four compartments allow ruminant animals to digest grass or vegetation without completely chewing it first. Instead, they only partially chew the vegetation, then microorganisms in the rumen section of the stomach break down the rest. Animals with singular stomach compartments — known as a monogastric digestive system — do not have the same capability.
Many different animals have this unique four compartment stomach type of digestive system, including:
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Water buffalo
Deer
Elk
Giraffes
Camels
These animals convert plant matter and vegetation into useable energy more efficiently than other herbivores.
In cattle and dairy cows, the development, pH balance, functionality and bacteria levels of the digestive system are crucial to maintaining overall health and high yield.
While some parts of the ruminant digestive system are similar to those of non-ruminant systems, several essential components perform the necessary functions for digestion.