Ruminant Digestive System Flashcards
1
Q
What is the ruminant digestive system?
A
- it is brought about by micro-organisms and enzymes
- cow and sheep
2
Q
What is their dentition like?
A
- they have no upper incisors, instead they have a hard pad of tissue called the dental pad
- their lower canines have developed into incisors
3
Q
What is the process of mastication?
A
- food is rolled into a ball with saliva and passes into the oesophagus
- the saliva is important as it moistens, lubricates and buffers pH
- the tongue and teeth action is vital to mix and swallow the food, increasing the surface area for the attack
4
Q
What is the structure and function of the oesophagus?
A
- a muscular food tube
- it becomes enlarged allowing the bolus to be pushy along into the rumen, known as the peristalsis
5
Q
What is the structure of the stomach?
A
- compound structure with 4 chambers
Reticulum
Rumen
Omasum
Abomasum (the true stomach)
6
Q
What is the structure of the rumen?
A
- it is the largest part of the stomach
- occupies most of the left side
- has a smooth lining
7
Q
What is the function of the rumen?
A
- it is for microbial digestion of plant material
- it contracts with the reticulum
- contractions, which are mixing up the food contents to aid digestion, can be felt at the left upper flank behind the rib cage
8
Q
What does the rumen contain?
A
- it contains liquids and churns its contents so they become saturated
9
Q
What is the function of the millions of micro-organisms in the rumen?
A
- they attack the food
- convert carbohydrates and fibre to fatty acids
- convert some protein and other nitrogen containing substances into microbial protein
- produces ammonia and other gases such as carbon dioxide and methane
10
Q
What happens in the omasum?
A
- digested food leaves the rumen and enters the omasum
- acts as a filtration for food entering the true stomach, it grinds down food into a fine paste
- food leaves the omasum and enters the abomasum
11
Q
What is the omasum filled with?
A
It’s filled with leaves of tissues
12
Q
What is the structure of the abomasum?
A
- similar to the normal stomach and lies to the right side
- muscular wall
13
Q
What is the function of the abomasum?
A
- the wall contracts the food
- produces acid to create a low pH
- protein is broken down here, absorption takes place through walls
14
Q
What are the 3 parts of the small intestine?
A
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
- similar to other animals, lies to right side
15
Q
What is the function of the small intestine?
A
- digestive juices produced in intestines help break down fats
