Question

(a) Why is small intestine in herbivores longer than in carnivores?
(b) What will happen if mucus is not secreted by the gastric glands?
(c) What causes movement of food inside the alimentary canal?

Answer 1

(a) Herbivores depend on plants for their nutrition. These plants contain complex carbohydrates like cellulose and hemicellulose that need to be broken down, whereas carnivores do not eat plants. Hence, small intestine is longer in herbivores than in carnivores.

(b) Mucus protects the stomach wall from hydrochloric acid. If mucus is not secreted by the gastric glands then the stomach wall will be destroyed by the acid.

(c) Peristalsis causes the movement of food inside the alimentary canal.