HUMAN NUTRITION

Detailed explanation-1: -The cow’s digestive tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, a complex four-compartment stomach, small intestine and large intestine (figure 1).

Detailed explanation-2: -The large intestine absorbs water from material passing through it and then excretes the remaining material as feces from the rectum. The cecum is a large blind pouch at the beginning of the large intestine, approximately 3 feet long with a 2-gallon capacity in the mature cow.

Detailed explanation-3: -The small intestine is a tube up to 150 feet long with a 20-gallon capacity in a mature cow. Digesta entering the small intestine mix with secretions from the pancreas and liver, which elevate the pH from 2.5 to between 7 and 8. This higher pH is needed for enzymes in the small intestine to work properly.

Detailed explanation-4: -Herbivores require more time to digest cellulose present in the plants. Carnivores, on the other hand, eat flesh which requires lesser time to be digested. Therefore, herbivores have larger small intestines than carnivores.

Detailed explanation-5: -The small intestine consists of three sections: the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. It measures about 20 times the length of the animal. Secretions from the pancreas and gallbladder aid in digestion within the small intestine.