Question

Herbivorous animals can digest cellulose because

• A. Their molar and premolar teeth can crush and grind the food.
• B. Bacteria present in their caecum help in digestion of cellulose.
• C. Gastric juice has a digestive enzyme for cellulose digestion.
• D. Alimentary canal is short.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Bacteria present in their caecum help in digestion of cellulose.

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.