AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Herbivores consume producers like plants which contain cellulose in the cell wall of their cells. Digestion of cellulose in the gut takes a longer time and hence, the gut of herbivores is longer than gut of carnivores. Was this answer helpful?

Detailed explanation-2: -In herbivores, the caecum is enlarged and houses bacteria that produce cellulase an enzyme that breaks down cellulose into sugars. In this way herbivores are actually able to digest cellulose. This function no longer occurs in the human cecum, so in humans it simply forms a part of the large intestine (colon).

Detailed explanation-3: -To be digested as it is absorbed from green plants, cellulose requires a longer small intestine in herbivores.

Detailed explanation-4: -Digestion of cellulose takes a longer time. Hence, herbivores eating grass need a longer small intestine to allow complete digestion of cellulose. Carnivorous animals cannot digest cellulose, hence they have a shorter intestine.

Detailed explanation-5: -All herbivores eat grasses and other plant material. Plants contain cellulose, which is very hard to digest. So, when a herbivore swallows some grass, the chewed grass first enters the compartment of the stomach called the rumen. The rumen contains a salty solution and bacteria that helps to break down the cellulose.