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Humans are unable to digest cellulose because the appropriate enzymes to breakdown the beta acetal linkages are lacking. (More on enzyme digestion in a later chapter.) indigestible cellulose is the fiber which aids in the smooth working of the intestinal tract.

Animals such as cows, horses, sheep, goats, and termites have symbiotic bacteria in the intestinal tract. These symbiotic bacteria possess the necessary enzymes to digest cellulose in the GI tract. They have the required enzymes for the breakdown or hydrolysis of the cellulose; the animals do not, not even termites, have the correct enzymes. No vertebrate can digest cellulose directly.

One of the comments indicated the reader is confused as to whether termites have the necessary enzymes to digest cellulose. The answer indicates, correctly, that they do not have the enzymes (innately). Instead, they have a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria that provides the needed enzymes. In other words, they have them, but only because a friendly organism supplies them with them.

Reference: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/547cellulose.html
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10y ago
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12y ago

Because they have extra digestive organs.

human could digest cellulose if appendix (organ) has not been a vestigal organ in his body.

According to http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/547cellulose.html, no animal alone can digest... but some have symbiotic bacteria with the right enzymes to break cellulose down.

"Animals such as cows, horses, sheep, goats, and termites have symbiotic bacteria in the intestinal tract. These symbiotic bacteria possess the necessary enzymes to digest cellulose in the GI tract. They have the required enzymes for the breakdown or hydrolysis of the cellulose; the animals do not, not even termites, have the correct enzymes. No vertebrate can digest cellulose directly."

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15y ago

No, it can only be digested by certain micro-organisms, which few animals have symbiotically living in their guts.

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14y ago

no, humans cannot digest fiber. we only use fiber to add on to waste and make it thicker.

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15y ago

We can digest soluble fiber, but we cannot digest insoluble fiber, which is good, because it helps us to have healthy bowels.

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10y ago

no

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Q: Can carnivores digest cellulose
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Related questions

Do buffalo have specialized digestive tract to digest plant cellulose?

Animals such as cows, horses, sheep, goats, and termites have symbiotic bacteria in the intestinal tract that contain the enzymes that allow them to digest cellulose in the GI tract. No vertebrate (animals with an internal skeleton) can digest cellulose directly; all must use the enzyme to break down cellulose.


Small intestine in herbivores and carnivores?

small intestine is longer in herbivores because they have to digest the cellulose and fibres as they only eat plants.


Why people dont eat things with very high levels of cellulose?

People cannot digest cellulose


What does the appendix has to do with inability to digest cellulose?

the appendix digest cellulose, but human appendix does not work.


Why do some animals have relatively short digestive tracts?

Some animals have relatively short digestive tracts because they are carnivores. Herbivores need longer digestive tracts than carnivores in order to digest cellulose.


What type organisms digest cellulose in the intestinal tract of humans?

None. Humans can't digest cellulose. Bacteria in the large intestine can digest some cellulose, creating gas and vitamin K.


What part of the digestive system is cellulose digestive?

None. Animals that can digest cellulose host special bacteria to digest the cellulose molecules, and humans do not host these.


Where is cellulose digested in humans?

Humans can't digest cellulose.


Can peptidase digest cellulose?

No


Can amylase digest cellulose?

no


What Does The Rumen Digest?

Cellulose.


Why are ruminant able to digest cellulose?

Actually ruminants cannot digest cellulose, they have symbiotic bacteria in a part of their stomach called a "rumen" digest the cellulose down to sugars and starches that the ruminants can actually digest in another part of their stomach later.