Some animals first swallow the food without chewing it. After sometime...
When cud-chewing animals eat their food, some of the food is stored in a special pouch within its stomach.
View all questions of this test
Some animals first swallow the food without chewing it. After sometime...
Explanation:
Cud chewing animals are animals that have a unique digestive process called rumination. This process allows them to properly digest and extract nutrients from their food.
The Process of Cud Chewing:
1. Ingestion: Cud chewing animals, such as cows, goats, and sheep, have a specialized stomach called the rumen. They first consume a large amount of food without chewing it properly. This food goes directly into their rumen.
2. Rumen Fermentation: In the rumen, the food mixes with bacteria and other microorganisms, which help break down the complex carbohydrates and fiber in the food. This fermentation process produces fatty acids and other by-products that can be used as a source of energy.
3. Regurgitation: After a while, the animal relaxes and regurgitates a portion of the food from the rumen back into its mouth. This partially digested food is called cud.
4. Cud Chewing: The animal chews the cud thoroughly, using its strong molars and a sideways grinding motion. This process helps to break down the food further and mix it with saliva, which aids in digestion.
5. Swallowing: Once the cud is thoroughly chewed, the animal swallows it again. This time, the cud bypasses the rumen and goes into the other parts of the digestive system, such as the reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, where further digestion and absorption of nutrients occur.
Benefits of Cud Chewing:
Cud chewing provides several benefits for these animals:
- It allows for more efficient digestion by breaking down tough plant fibers and releasing more nutrients.
- The fermentation process in the rumen produces essential nutrients, such as B vitamins and amino acids.
- Cud chewing helps to mix the food with saliva, which contains enzymes that aid in digestion.
- It enables the animal to spend more time consuming food and less time searching for it, as they can chew and process the food at a later time.
In conclusion, cud chewing animals have a unique digestive process that involves swallowing food without chewing it, fermenting it in the rumen, regurgitating it as cud, thoroughly chewing it, and then swallowing it again. This process allows them to extract maximum nutrients from their food and adapt to their herbivorous diet.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 3 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 3.