Organs in the Ruminate System
Name the four main compartments of a ruminant stomach.
Rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum
What is the single-chambered stomach in non-ruminants commonly called?
Monogastric or simple stomach
What is the primary function of the rumen?
Fermentation of plant material by microbes; breakdown of cellulose
What is the main role of a simple (monogastric) stomach?
To secrete acid and enzymes to begin chemical digestion of proteins and to mechanically mix food
Is a cow a ruminant or a non-ruminant?
Ruminate
Which organ in the ruminant system stores swallowed food and begins fermentation by microbes
Rumen
Name three major organs (besides the stomach) that are part of the non-ruminant digestive tract.
Mouth, esophagus, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine, liver, pancreas (any three)
Explain the role of microbes in the rumen.
Microbes (bacteria, protozoa, fungi) ferment cellulose and other carbohydrates to produce volatile fatty acids and synthesize some proteins and vitamins
How does gastric acid contribute to digestion in non-ruminants?
Gastric acid denatures proteins, activates pepsinogen to pepsin, and helps kill some microbes
Is a pig a ruminant or a non-ruminant?
non-ruminate
Which compartment of the ruminant stomach is most involved in mechanical grinding of cud?
Reticulum (works with rumen for cud formation and mechanical action); some sources emphasize the reticulum for sorting and the rumen for mixing — accept answers that reference rumen/reticulum working together
Which organ produces bile to aid fat digestion in non-ruminants?
Liver
What is the purpose of regurgitation and rechewing (cud chewing) in ruminants?
Chewing cud increases surface area of plant fibers and allows more complete microbial digestion
Explain the role of the small intestine in breaking down and absorbing nutrients.
The small intestine continues chemical digestion with enzymes and absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream
Classify a goat and a horse each as ruminant or non-ruminant.
goat=ruminate, horse=non-ruminate
Which ruminant compartment acts like a true glandular stomach, secreting acid and enzymes for chemical digestion?
Abomasum
Which organ stores and concentrates bile in many non-ruminant species?
Gallbladder
How does the omasum aid in digestion and absorption?
Omasum absorbs water and some nutrients and reduces particle size before food reaches the abomasum
Describe the roles of the pancreas in non-ruminant digestion.
Pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (proteases, lipase, amylase) and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid
Identify whether a rabbit is a ruminant or non-ruminant
Rabbit — Non-ruminant
Besides the four stomach compartments, name two other digestive organs present in ruminants that are also found in non-ruminants.
Small intestine, large intestine (also liver and pancreas acceptable)
Identify the section of the intestine primarily responsible for most nutrient absorption in non-ruminants.
Small intestine
Describe how the abomasum complements microbial digestion that occurs earlier in the ruminant stomach.
) Abomasum secretes acid and digestive enzymes to chemically digest microbial protein and feed particles
Explain how bile and bile salts assist with fat digestion and absorption.
Bile salts emulsify fats into smaller droplets, increasing surface area for lipase to act; this aids micelle formation for absorption
Given these animals: sheep, chicken, camel, and human — classify each as ruminant or non-ruminant. Provide the classification only.
Ruminant; Chicken — Non-ruminant; Camel — Ruminant (technically a foregut fermenter with three-compartment stomach but considered a ruminant/foregut fermenter); Human — Non-ruminant