Ruminant and Rodent Digestive System:Nutrition:Biology Chapter 6

Digestion in Ruminant

• Esophagus
• Rumen
• Reticulum
• Omasum
• Abomasum

1.In ruminants half-chewed grass travels from the mouth to the first chamber of the stomach


2.From there,it is sent back to the mouth to be chewed again


3.The rechewed food is swallowed again


4.Then,it bypasses the first two chambers and enters the third chamber,here it is broken down into still smaller pieces


5.Finally,it enters the fourth chamber,where enzymes act upon it and digestion is completed

Digestion In Rodent

1.In stomach,food interacts with enzymes and acid for initial breakdown


2.In small intestine,digestion continues and nutrients are absorbed


3.In cecum,interacts with microorganisms like bacteria,fungi and protozoa


4.Fiber digested by the microorganisms to produce nutrients.Microorganisms manufacture B Vitamins.


5.In larger intestine,water is absorbed  and waste is compacted