Can carnivores digest cellulose

Answer 1

No

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
false

Answer 2

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."

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

no