What does the cecum do in ruminant animals?

Answer 1

The rumen contains bacteria and protozoa that have the ability to digest plant material such as cellulose and fibre. The rumen also contracts in two waves which allows the material and microflora to mix. This is to further enhance and encourage digestion.

Answer 2

the cecum allows further break down of cellulose materials in a ruminants body. such as fibre e.g grass plants etc. the cecum is enlarged in some animals like the rabbit and the horse because of the amount that they eat. they have to eat a lot of fibreous material to gain nutritional value out of it.

Answer 3

The rumen is responsible for the first stage of break down of forages. Bacteria or microflora in the rumen aid in the digestion of fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose in the rumen. Partially digested material is burped up and chewed again as cud, with enzymes in the cow's saliva further breaking down carbohydrates and starches and chewing the fibre into finer pieces, then swallowed to continue digestion process before moving onwards to the Omasum.

Answer 4

The rumen is essentially a large fermentation vat (feed remains here for about 30 hours) that is designed to digest roughage, grains and grass that the cow eats.