Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is the primary site of carbohydrate digestion in monogastrics?
The small intestine
Which enzyme acts on alpha 1,4 links and removes disaccharide units in monogastrics?
Pancreatic amylase
Where do disaccharides get broken down into glucose in monogastrics?
The brush-border of the small intestine
What transports glucose into the brush-border in monogastrics?
ATP-dependent glucose transporters
What type of polysaccharides in the hindgut can serve as an energy source for microbes in monogastrics?
Fiber, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP)
What is a major difference in carbohydrate digestion between ruminants and monogastrics?
Ruminants do not secrete amylase in the saliva and most carbohydrates are fermented in the rumen by microbial enzymes
What are the end products of carbohydrate fermentation in the rumen of ruminants?
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid
How are VFAs absorbed in ruminants?
Through the rumen wall into the portal vein
What happens to the ratio of VFAs with different types of diets in ruminants?
Roughage diets favor more acetic acid, while concentrate diets favor more propionic acid
What is a common carbohydrate fermentation disorder in ruminants, especially with high-starch diets or sudden diet changes?
Rumen acidosis (grain overload)