Question

15. Explain the structure and function of the unique stomach found in the digestive system of ruminants. Why do they need such a stomach?​

Answer 1

Answer:

• Stomach of ruminants is known as compound stomach. It has 4 well defined chambers or u can say compartments. viz., rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. Rumen is the first and the largest chamber mainly meant for the storage of food. In camel and deer, omasum is absent and water cells project from rumen.

• Digestion of cellulose takes place by fermentation, with the help of symbiont bacteria and protozoans. Abomasum is the true stomach, which secrets gastric juices.

• Rumen and Reticulum harbour large population of anaerobic cellulolytic bacteria like Rumenococcus which secret the cellulase enzyme for the fermentation of cellulose. Cellulose is simplified into small chain fatty acids.

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