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There are many factors that aids in the fermentation of cellulose and other plant matter in the cow's digestive tract. One is the microflora of the reticulo-rumen, which is comprised of a large population of bacteria and protozoa. These microbes have co-evolved in the cow's digestive system to obtain as much energy and protein as possible from the material consumed by the cow, while at the same time aiding the animal by breaking down the material (cellulose, hemi-cellulose, fibre and lignin) so the cow herself can obtain the nutrients she needs to live and function normally.
The second factor is the environment of the rumen. The rumen itself is an environment where no oxygen is available or can be made available, thus enabling fermentation to take place. The microflora in the cow's rumen are adapted to live and function in such an anaerobic environment, further enabling the fermentation process in the cow's rumen.
The third factor is the ability of the reticulo-rumen to mix the various matter that exists in these two chambers: gas, liquid and solid matter. Smooth muscle contractions force the liquid that is found on the middle layer of matter in the rumen (the top layer is gaseous material) to mix with the solid matter that has sunk to the bottom of the rumen, enabling further digestion and fermentation of the plant matter that was just consumed. These contractions also help in moving foreign objects such as pieces of metal, nails and stones to the reticulum so that they do not impede on the proper digestion process nor puncture the rumen wall.
Thus, it is a combination of the presence of microflora, the anaerobic environment and the smooth muscle contractions of the reticulo-rumen that help in fermentation of cellulose in the cow's digestive system.
What else can I help you with?
Explain the importance of cellulose in the human diet?
Humans lack the necessary enzyme to digest cellulose, so it acts as roughage in the intestines and helps with the digestion process
Does Bacteria on cellulose digestion?
yes some bacteria help aid digestion
What is the product of the digestion of cellulose?
fatty acids
Why are you advised to eat salad and other plant fibers which are rich in cellulose when you cannot digest cellulose?
Cellulose, while it cannot be digested by humans, still can serve a function in digestion. Consuming a lot of cellulose (fiber) helps to prevent constipation, and it also minimizes intestinal disorders and may also serve as an aid in dieting.
What body process is improved by the intake of cellulose in the diet?
Digestion
By what does cellulose digestion occur?
It happens in your Gizzard. The tiny beoglobodas break up the Cellulose with their tiny little beaks
Why is it important for a cattles digestion that they have hap and staw available all day?
This is important as roughage provides the animal with necessary nutrients that grains do not. Their rumen is lined with many microbes (bacteria and protozoa) that have the ability to break down cellulose and hemicellulose. Roughages are the main source of these nutrients that will aid in healthy digestion. To learn more about digestion in cattle please see the related link.
Which enzyme help animals to digest plants?
Cellulase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down cellulose, a major component of plant cell walls, in animals such as herbivores. This enzyme helps animals extract nutrients from plant material that would otherwise be indigestible.
Complex carbohydrates that cannot be digested but aid in digestion?
cellulose and insoluble fibers
How digestion takes place in cattle?
let me tell all your something i want how digestion takes places.
Does renin helps in the digestion of milk?
yes it helps in digestion of milk
How do cows digest cellulose?
Because cattle are ruminants and cellulose is broken down by the microbes found inside of the rumen and then digested further in the cecum. Humans do not have a multiple-chambered stomach nor a functional cecum, thus making digesting cellulose impossible. Cellulose only acts as a gut filler for humans, which is the main reason why plant matter passes through so quickly (in around 2 hours) in a human's digestive tract compared to meat, and compared to the time it takes plant matter to go through a cow's digestive tract.
