Livestock Digestion Review

Front

What type of digestive system do ruminants have?

Back

Ruminants have a complex stomach with four compartments (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum) that allows them to digest fibrous plant material through fermentation.

Front

What is a monogastric digestive system?

Back

A monogastric digestive system has a single-chambered stomach, typical of animals like pigs and humans, which digests food in a linear fashion.

Front

What is cud?

Back

Cud is a small amount of food that ruminants regurgitate from their stomach to chew again for further digestion.

Front

What is the primary function of the stomach in digestion?

Back

The stomach churns and mixes food with digestive juices, breaking it down into a semi-liquid form called chyme.

Front

What is the main function of the large intestine?

Back

The main function of the large intestine is to absorb water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter and to store waste.

Front

What is the role of the small intestine in digestion?

Back

The small intestine is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption and further digestion of food.

Front

What are the three types of digestive systems in livestock?

Back

The three types of digestive systems in livestock are ruminant, monogastric, and hindgut fermenter.

Front

What is a hindgut fermenter?

Back

Hindgut fermenters, like horses, have a single-chambered stomach but rely on fermentation in the cecum and colon to digest fibrous materials.

Front

How do ruminants benefit from their digestive system?

Back

Ruminants can efficiently break down cellulose in plant materials, allowing them to extract more nutrients from their food.

Front

What is the significance of digestive enzymes?

Back

Digestive enzymes are crucial for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.