Ruminant Digestion, Liver and Pancreas Flashcards
(53 cards)
Describe the adaptations of the ruminant
digestive system for digesting plant material.
Ruminants have a specialised stomach with multiple compartments that allow for fermentation and breakdown of tough plant fibres. Their digestive system includes a rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum which work together to efficiently process plant material
Explain the symbiotic relationship between ruminants and gut flora
Ruminants host a diverse community of microbes in their rumen that help break down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates in plant material. This symbiotic relationship allows ruminants to extract nutrients from plant sources that they could not digest on their own
Define the role of the liver in digestion
The liver produces bile, which is essential for the emulsification and digestion of fats. It also processes nutrients absorbed from the digestive tract and detoxifies harmful substances
How do enzymes contribute to catabolic metabolism during digestion?
Enzymes facilitate the breakdown of complex
molecules into simpler ones, allowing for the
absorption of nutrients. They catalyze
reactions that convert carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats into usable forms for the
body.
Describe the process of peristalsis in the digestive system
Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of
muscles in the digestive tract that moves
food along the esophagus, stomach, and
intestines. This involuntary process helps to
mix food with digestive juices and propel it
through the digestive system.
Identify the structures in a ruminant stomach
The ruminant stomach consists of four main
compartments: the rumen, reticulum,
omasum, and abomasum, each playing a
specific role in the digestion of plant material.
Explain the role of saliva in the ruminant digestive process
Saliva in ruminants helps to lubricate food,
provides fluid for the rumen, and contains
bicarbonate to buffer the pH of the rumen,
creating an optimal environment for microbial fermentation.
Describe the ruminant digestive pathway
The ruminant digestive pathway begins with
the tongue grasping vegetation, which is
swallowed with minimal chewing. The cud is
later regurgitated for further grinding with
molars, allowing for better digestion.
List the different types of cloven-hooved ruminants
Cloven-hooved ruminants include cattle,
sheep, goats, buffalo, deer, elk, giraffes, and
camels.
Explain the difference between mechanical
and chemical digestion.
Mechanical digestion involves the physical
breakdown of food into smaller pieces (e.g.,
chewing), while chemical digestion involves
enzymatic reactions that break down food
into its molecular components.
Describe the main components of a ruminant
diet.
The main components of a ruminant diet
typically include fibrous plant materials, such
as grasses and hay, which are high in
cellulose.
Explain what cud is.
Cud is a portion of food that ruminants
regurgitate from their rumen to chew again,
aiding in the digestion process.
List the FOUR main chambers of a ruminant
stomach.
The four main chambers of a ruminant
stomach are the rumen, reticulum, omasum,
and abomasum.
What are the two main functions of the
rumen?
The two main functions of the rumen are to
store food and to facilitate fermentation by
microbes.
Describe the contents of the rumen.
The rumen contains a mixture of food, saliva,
and a diverse population of microbes that aid
in fermentation.
Explain the role of microbes during the
fermentation process in the rumen.
Microbes in the rumen break down complex
carbohydrates, such as cellulose, into simpler
compounds that can be absorbed and utilized by the ruminant.
Describe the relationship between the rumen
and reticulum.
The rumen and reticulum work closely
together; the reticulum collects smaller
particles and allows larger particles to return
to the rumen for further fermentation.
What are papillae and what is their function in the rumen?
Papillae are small, finger-like projections in
the rumen that increase the surface area for
absorption of nutrients.
Describe the structure of the reticulum.
The reticulum has a honeycomb-like structure
that helps trap larger food particles and
facilitates the mixing of contents.
What is the function of the reticulum?
The reticulum functions to collect and sort
food particles, allowing smaller particles to
pass into the omasum and larger ones to
return to the rumen
Describe the structure of the omasum.
The omasum has many folds or leaves that
increase its surface area, resembling a book.
What are the functions of the omasum?
The omasum functions to absorb water and
nutrients from the digested food and to
further reduce particle size.
Why is increasing surface area important in
the first three compartments of a ruminant
stomach?
Increasing surface area is important as it
enhances the absorption of nutrients and
facilitates more efficient digestion.
Describe the structure of the abomasum.
The abomasum is the true stomach of
ruminants, with a glandular lining that
secretes digestive enzymes and acids.
