L28: Forestomach digestion Flashcards
animals that mainly eat grass are ?
grazers
animals that selectively feed on highly digestible material
browsers
can live off grass but aren’t ass efficient as grazers
why might browsers have larger parotid glands than grazers
parotid gland produces proline-rich proteins that bind and neutralize tannin
browser diets have much more tannin than grazers
what is the main difference in the rumen between browsers & grazers
unlike grazers, browsers have no fiber mat or stratification (not layered)
have homogenous rumen content
is this describing a browser or grazer rumen…
high viscosity fluid, separation due to flotation/sedminetation less possible, gas bubbles evenly distributed
browser
is this describing a browser or grazer rumen…
low viscosity fluid, separation due to flotation/sedementation & clear separation of gaseous layer
grazer
rumen papilla growth is stimulated by _______, so [ _______ ] is highest where microbial activity is highest
VFAs
VFA
rumen _____ reflects stratification & location of greatest microbial activity and absorption of VFA
papillation
the time that liquid or a food particle spends in the rumen
mean retention time (MRT)
in general, is rumen MRT longer for water or food particles
food
what is a benefit and disadvantage of a long MRT of food in the rumen
(+) improves utilization of cell wall constituents (fiber)
(-) restricts feed intake b/c intake is limited mostly by the capacity of the forestomach
who has an overall shorter MRT, browsers or grazers
browsers
why is food particle throughput smaller in browsers than grazers
they rely more on plant cell content which is easily fermentable
what is the benefit of higher fluid throughput in grazers
- helps remove waste & make room for new material
- removes microbes
how does removing waste and microbes stimulate bacterial growth
by maintaining appropriate conditions in the rumen which increases microbial yield
this only works if substrate supply is sufficient & balanced N:C ratio
what is quorum sensing
bacteria, through small signal molecules called autoinducers, regulate bacterial population density
involves regulation of gene expression of autoinducers to fluctuations in cell-population density
autoinducers increase in [ ] as a function of cell density
what is the function of the omasum?
- absorb water, electrolytes, VFAs, HCO3
- transport ingesta to abomasum
the _____ of the omasum create a huge increase in SA
laminae
the large volume of water coming from a grazers rumen is reabsorbed by the ?
omasum; grazers have larger omasums than browsers since they have a higher fluid throughput