Hindgut Fermenters

Question 1

How do hindgut fermenters digest cellulose?

Answer 1

through a process called fermentation

Question 2

What is fermentation?

Answer 2

relies on bacteria that live in the large intestine

the enzyme that breaks down cellulose is produced by bacteria

Question 3

What do animals like rabbits and guinea pigs do to get as many nutrients out of their food as they can?

Answer 3

coprophagy

faeces that only pass through the digestion system once still contain many valuable nutrients

Question 4

Where does fermentation take place?

Answer 4

caecum
colon

Question 5

What is the difference between monogastric animals and hindgut fermenters?

Answer 5

hindgut fermenters can digest cellulose where as monogastric animals can’t

hindgut fermenters have a much larger caecum and colon where fermentation takes place where as monogastric animals have much smaller caecum and colon where not much digestion takes place

Question 6

What is the scientific name for chewing?

Answer 6

mastication