Introduction to Ruminants
What is the main characteristic of the order Ungulata?
Presence of hooves
How many compartments does a typical ruminant stomach have?
Four compartments.
Which compartment of a ruminant's stomach is the largest?
The rumen
What is the first section of the small intestine that food passes through after leaving the abomasum?
Duodenum
Which plant carbohydrate is most abundant in plant cell walls
cellulose
What is the function of the rumen in ruminants that does not exist in monogastrics?
Fermentation and breakdown of cellulose.
Increases surface area of rumen epithelium
papillae
What is the primary function of the jejunum in the small intestine?
Nutrient absorption
Name two examples of ruminant animals.
Cows and sheep (example)
What is a key difference between true ruminants and pseudoruminants?
True ruminants have four compartments; pseudoruminants have three.
What happens in the omasum?
Absorption of water and nutrients
Particle size reduction
How does the ileum contribute to nutrient absorption?
Absorbs remaining nutrients and bile acids
Bonds linking the glucoses into chains are easily digestible by mammalian enzymes
α-1,4
The five main organic end products of rumen fermentation are:
Acetate, propionate, butyrate, Methane, Carbon Dioxide
What role microorganisms play in the rumen.
Digestion of cellulose and production of volatile fatty acids
Bacteria-killing organ before the intestine
Abomasum
What is the main evolutionary advantage of ruminants in their environment?
Ability to digest fibrous and cellulosic foods more efficiently
Which end product of fermentation represents the greatest loss of food energy for the ruminant animal?
Methane
How does the anaerobic environment of the rumen affect digestion?
It supports the growth of microorganisms essential for fermentation.
What is the role of the large intestine in ruminants after digestion in the small intestine?
Absorbs water and forms feces