Monogastric Herbivore Flashcards
What are the structures of the monogastric digestive tract
Mouth Stomach Small Intestine Caecum Large intestine (colon)
What is the function of the mouth
Contains saliva which uses mucus, bicarbonate and amylase to partially breakdown food in the mouth
What is the function of the stomach
Storage of food
Digestion of food
Mixing food with acid and enzymes
In some herbivores mix to prevent plant matter sitting at the top causing gas production
What is the function of the small intestine
Secretions from pancreas and liver bile duct
What is the caecum and the function
Blind sac at the junction of the small and large intestine.
Digestion by microorganisms
What is the role of the large intestine (colon)
Microbial digestion, however less efficient the ruminant
What does the ruminant digestive tract consist of?
Mouth Oesophagus Rumen Reticulum Omasum Abomasum Small and large intestine (longer because it takes longer for the digestion of the plant material to be broken down) Caecum Gall bladder Pancreas Rectum
What are the key features of the mouth in the ruminant?
Prehensile tongue
Little chewing at eating
No amylase
Substantial amount of bicarbonate in saliva
What are the key features of the reticulum
Contains a network of raised ridges (honeycomb)
Papillae (small leaf-like)
Food enter from the oesophagus
Small particles pass through reticulo-omasal orifice
What are the key features of the reticular oesophageal groove
Between the oesophagus and the reticulo-omasal orifice
What are the key features of the rumen
Largest compartment of stomach
LSH of abdominal cavity
Strong muscular walls and muscular fold mix contents
Papillae line the walls
How does digestion occur in the forestomach?
Through microorganisms
Secrete cellulases which break B 1-4 glycosidic bonds
Cellulose digested to glucose
