Egestion is the process by which undigested materials such as cellulose are expelled from the body. Many intestinal flora reside in the large intestine. Some intestinal flora are mutualistic symbionts. Mutualistic symbionts derive benefits from their host, and bring benefits to their host. Variations in digestive systems allow different organisms to digest specialized diets.

- The various fluids involved in digestion contain large amounts of water that are reabsorbed into the body. The large intestine, or colon, functions in the reabsorption of water present in digested materials. As undigested materials move through the large intestine, water is absorbed and wastes take on a solid form called feces. - If less than normal amounts of water are absorbed, diarrhea may occur. In contrast, the absorption of too much water results in constipation. - The large intestine serves as a home for many bacteria, which are referred to as intestinal flora. - Many of the bacteria living in the large intestine are mutualistic symbionts. These bacteria feed on undigested materials in the large intestine and produce vitamins, such as vitamin K and several B vitamins, that are useful to the host as a byproduct. Escherichia coli. is one species of bacteria that inhabits the large intestine of humans.

- The digestive system of many herbivores is specially adapted for the digestion of cellulose. Many herbivores have specialized chambers within their digestive system that house microorganisms capable of digesting cellulose. - Cows, for example, have a multicompart-mentalized stomach that allows for the digestion of cellulose. Food is partially digested in the rumenby bacteria that produce cellulase, the enzyme that breaks down cellulose. The food is then brought back to the mouth for further chewing and is swallowed again to a different stomach compartment.

- Coprophages are organisms that eat their own fecal material. For example, rabbits eat their fecal material, which contains undigested cellulose and nourishing by-products of bacterial fermentation. As the materials pass through the body again, they are further broken down, and nutrients are absorbed.

Most parasites do not kill their hosts for this would be maladaptive. However, cholera bacteria is different. How does the death of their host not result in the extinction of cholera bacteria?

- While cholera usually causes death by dehydration from excessive diarrhea, this process serves to further disperse the organism in the untreated water supplies of affected communities

Egestion is the process by which

- undigested materials are expelled from the body.

12.3.6 Egestion Flashcards by Irina Soloshenko

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12.3.6 Egestion Flashcards

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