Digestion in

ruminants and
rodents
V ?ertebrates and human do not produce
cellulase to digest plant cellulose.
V Enzyme cellulase hydrolyses cellulose to
complex sugars and glucose.
V Cellulase-secreting microorganism to digest
cellulose for them.
 @hat is the
meaning of
Ruminants???
V `as a four-chamber (compartment) stomach.
V three chambers before the true stomach.
V Example: cows, sheep, goats, giraffes and
deer.
V jouth oesophagus stomach (4
chamber)

large intestine Small intestine

a) Rumen- the first and the largest chamber
- function as fermentation chamber
-contain a lot of symbiotic microorganism
b) Reticulum- has a Dzhoneycombdz wall
- house a lot of symbiotic microorganism
-open to the omasum
c) Omasum- many folds to grind food
- a lot of water is absorbed here
d) Abomasum - Dz truedz stomach
- secretes pepsin and `Cl to digest food.
V Crop grass, mixes the ground grass with saliva
before enter into the rumen.
V In rumen, semi-ground grass ferments with
symbiotic microorganism- secreting cellulase
V Fatty acid and glucose produced are absorbed
through the wall of rumen.
V Fermented grass moves from rumen to the
reticulumȄformed into balls(called cud).
V From the reticulum, cud is regurgitated into its
mouth to be re-chewed
V Cud is finely ground--- re-swallowed and goes
into omasum.
V In omasum, much water is absorbed from the
cud before passed on to the abomasom.
V In abomasom, `Cl and protease secreted to
digest the proteins of the grass and
microorganism.
V Chyme enter the small intestine---rest of
digestion continues
V Absorption takes place on the lower part of
small intestine
V In large intestine, water and some vitamins
and mineral are absorbed.
V Faces expelled from the anus
It have large incisors
adapted for
gnawing or
nibbling.
V `ave a simple, one-chamber stomach
structure.
V Example: humans, cats, dogs, rabbits and
rodents( rats, squirrels).
V Oral cavity Salivary glands Pharynx

small intestine stomach Oesophagus

Caecum Large intestine

V Accessory organs- pancreas and liver-

secretes digestive juices.
V Rodents are mostly herbivorous or omnivorous.
V `ave large caecum containing symbiotic
bacteria.
V After ingested food in stomach has softened, it
passes down the small intestine into the
caecum.
V In caecum, symbiotic bacteria digest the
cellulose---release nutrients.
V Nutrient absorbed in small intestine
V Re-eat their own faeces to absorb more
nutrients from the faeces the second time it
goes through the small intestine again.
V Faeces going out from the anus
V Similarities
^ All do not secrete cellulase to digest sellulose
^ All depend fully on symbiotic microorganism

Differences????
=
 

   
  
Stomach 4 chamber Single stomach chamber

Comparative All grass ÑAll plant matter( herbivores)

amount of cellulose ÑA large portion ( omnivores)
eaten
Digestion of By symbiotic bacteria and By symbiotic bacteria and
cellulose protozoa in the rumen, protozoa in the caecum.
reticulum compartments, and
caecum
Chew cud Yes No

Re-ingestion of No Yes
faeces

Regurgitate Regurgitate food Do not regurgitate food