Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
SubtotalтВ╣0
TotalтВ╣0
Examoogle тАв User тАв info@examoogle.com тАв EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 тАв Page 1 of 248ЁЯФТ Protected PDF тАв Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
Certain grass-eating animals complete the digestion of food in two processes. First, they swallow partially digested food and then they regurgitate and chew upon that food again. What are such animals known as?
Heterotrophs
Regurgitates
Autotrophs
Ruminants
Ruminants
Ruminants are specialized herbivorous mammals, such as cows, sheep, and goats, that possess a complex four-chambered stomach. They are characterized by their ability to consume plant matter and regurgitate a semi-digested mass called 'cud' to chew it again for more efficient nutrient absorption.
Ruminants are specialized herbivorous mammals, such as cows, sheep, and goats, that possess a complex four-chambered stomach. They are characterized by their ability to consume plant matter and regurgitate a semi-digested mass called 'cud' to chew it again for more efficient nutrient absorption.
Think of a ruminant's stomach as a high-tech kitchen food processor where the food is pre-soaked and fermented before the 'chef' (the animal) performs the final, fine chopping to ensure nothing is wasted.
R-U-M-I-N (Rumen, Undigested, Masticate, Intestine, Nutrient absorption)
(C6тАЛH10тАЛO5тАЛ)nтАЛ+nH2тАЛOmicrobial┬аenzymesтАЛnC6тАЛH12тАЛO6тАЛ тАФ Representing the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose into simple sugars
Ruminant digestion involves a unique multi-stage process where the animal swallows food into the rumen and reticulum, where it is fermented by symbiotic microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa). The animal later regurgitates this material (the cud) into the mouth for thorough mastication (re-chewing). This physical breakdown increases the surface area for enzymes to act upon, which is crucial for the microbial breakdown of tough plant cellulose into simple sugars and volatile fatty acids.
Ruminants have a four-chambered stomach consisting of the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
The rumen acts as a large fermentation vat for symbiotic microbes.
Chewing the cud is known scientifically as rumination.
This process allows ruminants to thrive on diets high in fiber and cellulose that most other mammals cannot digest.
Ability to extract energy from fibrous plant materials (cellulose) inaccessible to most other animals.
Symbiotic production of B-vitamins and proteins by gut microbiota.
Susceptible to bloat if gas produced by fermentation is not released.
High methane production, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Cattle farming and livestock industry
Biological waste recycling of agricultural biomass
The abomasum is referred to as the 'true stomach' because it secretes gastric enzymes similar to those found in monogastric animals.
Option A (Heterotrophs) is a broad category including all organisms that consume other organic matter; Option B is an incorrect term; Option C (Autotrophs) describes organisms that produce their own food like plants.
D is correct тАФ Ruminants are specific herbivores that utilize a unique regurgitation and re-chewing mechanism to break down tough cellulose fibers.
Always link the presence of specialized digestive structures (like the rumen) directly to the dietary requirement of breaking down complex carbohydrates like cellulose.
Get instant step-by-step AI explanations, full shift Previous Year Papers (SSC GD, RRB, SSC JE), and regional rank analysis on the official Examoogle App.
Free Download тАв 100K+ Aspirants